Analysis of a piping system for requalification
This paper discusses the global stress analysis required for the seismic/structural requalification of a reactor secondary piping system in which minor defects (flaws) were discovered during a detailed inspection. The flaws in question consisted of weld imperfections. Specifically, it was necessary to establish that the stresses at the flawed sections did not exceed the allowables and that the fatigue life remained within acceptable limits. At the same time the piping system had to be qualified for higher earthquake loads than those used in the original design. To accomplish these objectives the nominal stress distributions in the piping system under the various loads (dead load, thermal load, wind load and seismic load) were determined. First a best estimate finite element model was developed and calculations were performed using the piping analysis modules of the ANSYS Computer Code. Parameter studies were then performed to assess the effect of physically reasonable variations in material, structural, and boundary condition characteristics. The nominal stresses and forces so determined, provided input for more detailed analyses of the flawed sections. Based on the reevaluation, the piping flaws were judged to be benign, i.e., the piping safety margins were acceptable inspite of the increased seismic demand. 13 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 10138891
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CP-75769; CONF-920631-19; ON: DE92011844
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) pressure vessels and piping conference,New Orleans, LA (United States),21-25 Jun 1992; Other Information: PBD: [1992]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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