Global method for nonlinear seismic analysis of embedded base-isolated nuclear island buildings in layered sites

Abstract

Owing to the increasing scarcity of high-quality sites, the seismic analysis of base-isolated nuclear power plants (NPPs) under complex non-lithology sites has gained important engineering significance. In this study, a global method for nonlinear numerical analysis was developed for the seismic evaluation of base-isolated NPPs in complex layered sites. The seismic analysis of layered sites is realised using the equivalent linear method and one-dimensional wave propagation theory, the radiation damping of the infinite domain is modelled with a visco-elastic artificial boundary, and the nonlinear behaviour of the isolators is fully considered using a bilinear hysteretic model. Using this method, the influence of soil–structure interaction (SSI) and soil nonlinearity on the behaviour of base-isolated NPPs under the design basis earthquake and beyond design basis earthquake was analysed and compared, in terms of the floor response spectra (FRS) and inter-story displacement angle. In addition, the influence of embedment is also studied. The results show that in layered sites, the SSI significantly amplifies the response values for base-isolated NPPs, and as the ground motion input increases, the soil nonlinearity more effectively inhibits the response of base-isolated NPPs. In addition, embedding can significantly reduce the response, but it increases the FRS at some frequency domains. The isolation effect of base-isolated NPPs decreases significantly when SSI effects are considered, and the soil nonlinearity and embedment have little impact on the base isolation capacity. The method proposed in this study can be easily applied to study base-isolated NPPs in layered sites.