Seismic evaluation of lead caves using no-tension discrete model with interface elements
This paper investigates quasi-static behavior of lead cave walls radiation shields made by stacking lead bricks. The bricks have high stiffness, whereas the joints are weak and incapable of supporting tension. Global behavior of this kind of wall is strongly influenced by size friction coefficient of the brick elements. The general finite element code ANSYS was used for the analysis of the lead caves. A series of 2-D models that spanned the range of height-to-width aspect ratios of the cave wall were constructed. Two types of contact elements were incorporated in the model. The point-to-point contact element was used to represent contact in the horizontal direction. This element permits either compression in the direction normal to the surfaces or opening of a gap. The point-to-surface contact element was chosen to represent contact in the vertical direction. This element allows sliding in addition to the compression or gap formation normal to the surface. A series of static analyses were performed for each model. A l-g. vertical acceleration representing gravity was applied. The lateral acceleration was increased until the solution would not converge. This acceleration is defined as the critical lateral acceleration. This was achieved with a set of load steps with increasing lateral load. The critical acceleration was found to depend on the wall aspect ratio. For a wall with an aspect ratio up to three, the maximum acceleration is above the required 0.1 g. The wall failure mechanisms were also identified based on the numerical results. The two failure modes are the rotation and loss of interlocking among the blocks or silding of upper layers of the wall.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 100402
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-25829; CONF-950740-82; ON: DE95016798; TRN: 95:019426
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Joint American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)/Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) pressure vessels and piping conference, Honolulu, HI (United States), 23-27 Jul 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION LEVEL OF THE 10 kc HOT CAVE. Report No. 11
Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures