Use of shaking tables in the seismic assessment of nuclear facilities in the UK

Synopsis

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) are a key part of the UK energy supply system, but they are now operating at or beyond their design life. Since commissioning, fast neutron irradiation has resulted in aging of the graphite components changing the component geometries and strength, and increasing the potential for differential shrinkage-induced cracking. The continued safe operation of AGRs relies on a robust understanding of core behaviour, accounting for both actual and anticipated future states, and this has been achieved through numerical and physical modelling.

The first part of this talk will outline how shaking table tests were used to develop and validate numerical models for predicting the seismic behaviour of degraded AGR cores. Adam will cover issues such as test design, scale modelling, instrumentation and data collection, and will present some of the results from the shaking table test programme of the AGR core model.

The second part of the talk will focus on the use of shaking tables as a means to seismic qualify equipment to be installed in nuclear facilities with Paul Doyle providing a client perspective of this type of testing, explaining why to undertake shake table testing and how to specify shake table testing. He will show some examples of tests, including description of systems and videos of the testing and explain how the test results are used in nuclear safety cases.

About the speakers

Adam Crewe is a professor of earthquake engineering in the University of Bristol with over 25 years’ experience in using shaking tables for research into the seismic performance of buildings, bridges, soils and other systems. Recently he has been leading a major research activity looking at the seismic performance of Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) core models using shaking table testing. This research has supported the safety cases for life extension of these older power stations. Adam has also been responsible for the design and execution of 100’s of seismic qualification tests for the nuclear industry, and the recent commissioning of a new high performance table at Bristol University that can meet the requirements of the latest test codes.

Paul Doyle is a Senior Consultant with Jacobs UK Ltd who for many years has been seconded to AWE as Seismic Technical Authority. In this role he is responsible for reviewing design of structures and mechanical plant subject to seismic loading; as well as setting standards and providing technical advice on seismic engineering. He has over 40 years of experience, with most of his career in the nuclear and power sectors. He is a Fellow of the Institutions of Civil and Structural Engineers; and is a past Chairman of SECED.

Further information

This event is organised by SECED. The event will be chaired by Barnali Ghosh (Mott MacDonald). Attendance at this meeting is free. The event will be broadcast online. Please register for the event prior to joining. The registration process will provide you with the link you need to join the main event.

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