By: K.P. Singh and Alan I. Soler
Publisher: 16th Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology
Year: 2001
Abstract: Spent fuel storage casks installed on reinforced concrete pads must be qualified for kinematic stability and stress compliance under the postulated Design Basis Earthquake for the facility. A dynamic analysis method to predict the response of a loaded cask subjected to 3-D seismic excitation is presented in this paper. The methodology permits parametric evaluation of variables such as cask-to-pad interface friction coefficient, fuel-to-storage cell gaps, fuel basket stiffness, and fuel compliance characteristics. A set of acceptance criteria to ensure stability with a margin of safety appropriate for a nuclear installation are also proposed for possible adoption by the regulatory authorities.
Citation: Singh, K. & Soler, A. “Predicting the Structural Response of Free-Standing Spent Fuel Storage Casks Under Seismic Events,” 16th Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SmiRT 16), Washington, DC (2001).