Earthquake response analysis for a BWR nuclear power plant using recorded data

Abstract

In the dynamic analysis of complicated structures such as nuclear power plants, it is necessary to consider different damping characteristics for each structural element. The authors have developed a computer program for the dynamic analysis based on the internal viscous damping theory and have recently performed a vibration test and earthquake observations of an actual nuclear power plant. The data resulting from the test and observation were applied to the program and the dynamic response of each part of the plant was computed. A close agreement was noted between the computed and recorded acceleration-time histories as well as acceleration-response spectra. The authors conclude that their analyzing system might be one of the most reliable methods for the design of the nuclear power plants.