Effect of soil-structure interaction on the response of reactor structures to seismic ground motion. Final report

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Abstract
The effect of soil-structure interaction on the response of nuclear reactor structures to seismic ground motions is investigated. A two-dimensional dynamic analysis of the reactors and soil foundation is conducted utilizing IITRI's large-scale finite element computer code, SLAM. The reactors are modeled as combinations of rigid bodies, linear springs and lumped masses. The soil is represented by elastic, finite elements. The loading environment is based on idealized eanthquake motion records. Calculations are made for two reactors on the surface and one partially embedded in a uniform alluvium foundation. Translational and rocking motions and associated shock spectra of the reactor bases are computed. The spectra for the translational motion is compared to the spectra for the corresponding free field motions. It is shown that the neglect of soil-structure interaction in the design of reactor structures, for translational motion of the base, results in highly conservative design. Although the results of this study show some indication of a significant effect of base rocking on the response of reactor structures, the evidence is inconclusive. (auth)

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