Identification of significant problems related to light water reactor piping systems
Work on the project was divided into three tasks. In Task 1, past surveys of LWR piping system problems and recent Licensee Event Report summaries are studied to identify the significant problems of LWR piping systems and the primary causes of these problems. Pipe cracking is identified as the most recurring problem and is mainly due to the vibration of pipes due to operating pump-pipe resonance, fluid-flow fluctuations, and vibration of pipe supports. Research relevant to the identified piping system problems is evaluated. Task 2 studies identify typical LWR piping systems and the current loads and load combinations used in the design of these systems. Definitions of loads are reviewed. In Task 3, a comparative study is carried out on the use of nonlinear analysis methods in the design of LWR piping systems. The study concludes that the current linear-elastic methods of analysis may not predict accurately the behavior of piping systems under seismic loads and may, under certain circumstances, result in nonconservative designs. Gaps at piping supports are found to have a significant effect on the response of the piping systems.
- Research Organization:
- URS/John A. Blume and Associates, Engineers, San Francisco, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6867289
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-0691; ALO-89; URS/Blume-7934; TRN: 81-000958
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PIPES
FAILURES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
CRACKS
INFORMATION NEEDS
LOSS OF COOLANT
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEISMIC EFFECTS
STRESS ANALYSIS
ACCIDENTS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210500 - Power Reactors
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