Developing novel nuclear containment structures: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

Nuclear containment structures serve as the main line of defense to prevent escape of radioactive material during catastrophic events including the loss of coolant accident (LOCA), aircraft impact, explosions and earthquake. For more than half a century, structural types of nuclear containment remain essentially unchanged. With construction cost of recent nuclear projects increasing significantly, there is need to improve containment structures in order to achieve better cost efficiencies, schedule improvement and sustainability by utilizing the latest industry trends, technologies and innovations. Future novel containment may use Steel-Plate Composite (SC), Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), 3D printing Concrete (3DPC), performance-based and risk-informed design method, and so on. With a lack of industry experience, however, specialists in aforementioned technical areas face additional challenges in spreading knowledge to nuclear containment designers so that the latter can be versed in applying those technologies. For these reasons, a comprehensive literature study on recent development trends on novel nuclear containment structures should be conducted. This article provides a comprehensive survey of current technological challenges and prospects for developing various novel containment types. Advantages and shortcomings of each technology, as well as their applicability in nuclear containments are evaluated and discussed. This state-of-the-art review is aimed at helping designers and researchers of future nuclear containments widen the use of relevant technologies and innovations. This review can serve as a starting point for developing future novel containment structures.