Random Vibration Analysis of Nuclear Power Plant Structures

Abstract

In this study, random vibration analysis of a nuclear power plant building under earthquake loading is performed based on a large-magnitude earthquake of Kobe 1995. A typical nuclear power plant structure widely used in China is selected as a numerical model and modeled as a 3D system. Within the scope of the study, random vibration and deterministic analyses were performed on firm, medium, and soft soils to determine the effects of earthquake motions on nuclear power plant systems. In the study, the theory of random vibration analysis based on the filtered white noise (FWN) ground motion model was utilized and it was intended to determine to what extent the FWN model reflects the real earthquake motion. In addition to soil type, the considered power plant system is analyzed for the ground motions showing near-fault and far-fault characteristics. As a result of the study, it is concluded that the FWN ground motion model used to model earthquake ground motion can be used to consider the effect of real earthquakes. It is also underlined that differences in soil type, fault type and analysis methods affect the results for the considered nuclear power plant structure.