We are pleased to report that one of America’s most prestigious structural research organizations, the Purdue Applied Research Institute’s (PARI) Infrastructure Innovation Lab (PIIL) has joined Team Holtec to confirm the structural efficacy of the innovative modularized “Concrete-Strengthened Steel” (CSS) embodiment that the Company has developed for efficient construction of structures needed in the SMR-300 plant. Holtec’s CSSM design aims to maximize the structural strength of both nuclear and non-nuclear enclosures in the plant while lending to robotic welding, maximized in-shop fabrication and minimized on-site construction work effort. Intellectual property rights on the CSSM design concept are held by Holtec International and disclosed to the USPTO via several patent filings.
A team of researchers led by Prof. Amit Varma, a leading expert in nuclear plant construction and defense structures, is providing technical consulting support in the design finalization effort. Prof. Varma is the executive director of PIIL and Karl H. Kettelhut Professor in the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering of Purdue University. “Holtec is a pioneer in small modular reactor technology,” said Varma. “PIIL looks forward to fostering a close and synergistic relationship with Holtec and help them in their drive to bring innovative structural and construction technologies to the forefront of the nuclear industry.”
(testing to failure demonstrated a capacity for greater than the theoretical estimate).
“Holtec plans to cut cost and duration of site construction for SMR-300’s civil structures using Concrete Strengthened Steel Modules (CSSMs) and purpose-configured robots for automation of welding and non-destructive testing,” said Mr. Charles Bullard, VP of Applied Mechanics, Holtec International. “A pioneering effort of this nature, with its tight timeline, calls for strategic partnerships. That’s where PARI’s expertise in steel-plate composites and experience with nuclear regulators becomes valuable to our SMR-300 program.”
Anveshan Bommareddi, Director of Applied Mechanics and Civil Structures, SMR, LLC said, “Holtec’s SMR-300 leverages proven pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology and delivers a high-power density to lower the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). It does not rely on off-site power or operator intervention during and after accidents (Fukushima-proof and walk-away safe). Additionally, using Holtec’s patented Air-Cooled Condensers, the system is suitable for deployment in water-scarce areas and can be located in high seismic soil or rock sites (up to 0.5g PGA) without any modifications to its safety-related systems, structures, and components. The CSS modular assembly concept is the centerpiece of our effort to make nuclear plant construction cost-efficient. We believe it to be game changer for nuclear plant construction. The first CSSM of SMR-300’s containment structure was successfully tested at Bowen lab of Purdue University in March 2025. The test demonstrated a capacity far greater than the theoretical estimate. This is an encouraging result confirming the behavior of our novel design and paving the way forward.”
Commenting on Holtec’s CSSM designs, Drs. Varma and Sanjeev Malushte, Distinguished Fellow, and Senior Director of Technology at PARI opined, “These materials create a double-armored construction that reduces damage when subjected to extreme conditions. Steel-plate composites also eliminate the need for concrete formwork and rebar, both of which are key aspects in reinforced concrete construction and require significant field labor to construct. For steel-plate composites, the empty steel modules can be manufactured in a factory, assembled on site, and expeditiously filled with concrete, thereby reducing construction time and labor needed for formwork and rebar placement. This is key to the modular design concept behind the SMR-300. From a cost and schedule standpoint, if you can construct the plant faster, you will have a more economical plant.”
Holtec’s Executive Director of the SMR-300 program, Justin Hawkins, spiritedly rattles off the virtues of the CSSM technology, “In addition to their strength and affordability, Holtec’s CSSMs provide a variety of utilitarian advantages, including ease of surface decontamination, reduction in required radiation shielding thickness and ease of making commodity attachments (e.g., baseplates for pipe supports). They also perform better at higher temperatures and can be made resistant to fire and corrosion, prolonging their service life.”
The SMR-300 will be designed and manufactured at Holtec’s Krishna P. Singh Technology Campus in Camden, New Jersey. This new, state-of-the-art plant is America’s latest small modular reactor manufacturing facility.
You must be logged in to post a comment.