Seismic Response for a One-Third Scale-Down Vertical Cylindrical Cask Specimen Using Cyclic Loading Testing

Abstract

Since the friction coefficient is critical to the seismic stability of a freestanding cask, cyclic loading tests of a 1/3 scale-down pedestal specimen of the INER-dry storage cask system, which will be used in Taiwan, were conducted to acquire the actual friction coefficient at the cask/pad interface as well as the effect of normal stress and sliding rate on it. Test results indicated that the cyclic frequency had few influence on the friction coefficient and the friction coefficient increased with the normal stress increased. The friction coefficient of the vertical cylindrical cask with an add-on shield, vertical cylindrical cask and add-on shield under actual loading condition was about 0.67, 0.60 and 0.73, respectively. Based on the frictional properties at the cask/pad interface obtained from the test results, it was performed to ensure the actual seismic stability of this INER-dry storage cask system under the design base earthquake.