Analytically predicted versus measured response of a free-standing steel containment vessel subjected to safety-relief valve discharge loads

Abstract

Following the actuation of safety-relief valves in BWR nuclear power plants, first water then air and steam are cleared from the discharge lines through quencher devices into a suppression pool. This clearing results in water spike, air bubble, and condensation pressure loads applied to structures in the pool, and the surrounding containment vessel. The Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant has the only free-standing steel Mark III containment vessel in the world. All other steel Mark III containment vessels have concrete backing in the suppression pool region, which dampens clearing load responses. As such, it is of interest to note how this steel vessel responds to discharge pressures, and compare these responses to analytically predicted results. The purpose of this paper is to compare the analytical results used to design the steel containment vessel with the responses measured during in-plant testing. The analytical methods considered the effects of fluid-structure interaction. The test program included initial and consecutive actuations of a single valve, and initial actuation of multiple (four) valves. The conclusion of the comparison is that, in general, there are large conservatisms in the analytical predictions versus measured responses.