Analysis of severe accidents in nuclear containments

Abstract

Analysis for severe accidents has recently been added to the long list of requisites imposed on nuclear power plants. In this work we study the rationale and justiflcation for this type of analysis. Calculations for the structural response of the containment buildings can be performed on the computer using advanced nonlinear Finite Element codes. A state of the art review of these methods is carried out, proposing a methodology based on analysis by numerical methods with experimental validation. Additionally we present some results obtained by the authors for the analysis of both reinforced concrete and steel containments. The concluding remarks show the validity of the proposed methodology, as well as the evidence of a large security margin in the containments, due mainly to the conservatisms in the design stage.