Allowable Load Derivation of Single Angle Members for Small Bore Pipe Supports Welded on 4-Bolt CEA Plate in APR1400

Abstract

Single angle members have been rarely used as supporting structures in nuclear power plant because they are open sections which have significantly reduced capacities when considered in comparison to closed sections, and have weakness for twisting load such as local torsion caused by loading eccentricity of geometric center and shear center. However, in APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor 1400 MW-class in Korea), the extended application of single angle members for supporting structures of small bore piping systems is considered to enhance the constructability and economics of plant. Furthermore, although it is general guideline for support design in APR1400 that supporting structures for equipment should be directly welded to embedded plates or steel structures in buildings as far as possible, in the case of small bore piping system, for the low level priority of construction in site, supporting steel structures for small bore piping could not be evitable to be welded onto the CEA (Concrete Expansion Anchor) plate. Per the ACI 318, ACI 349 and ACI 355.2, most CEA plate designs and anchor bolt load determinations are now based on finite element models that many applications have been individually made for CEA plates. If single angle members are attached onto these plates, integrated finite element models should be developed and analyzed in detail accroding to NRC IEB 79-02. Such a detailed analysis may appear to be excessive to small bore pipe supports which have diverse design materials and frequently subjected to field changes requiring rapid revision. Consideration should be given to reviewing current practices and reducing the level of effort being used for the integrated analysis of support and CEA plate by developing consensus standard regarding reasonable support and CEA plate designs. In this paper, allowable piping loads for single angle members such as L2×2×1/4, L2-1/2×2-1/2×1/4, L3×3×3/8, and L4×4×1/2 welded on the 4-bolt CEA assembly are derived and reviewed for general use for small bore pipe support design, and L2-1/2×2-1/2×1/4 and L3×3×3/8 welded onto 4-bolt (3/8″Φ sleeve type) CEA plate (1/2″×9″×9″) are recommended as standard small bore pipe supports with post-installed anchor system in APR1400.