Comparison of two key analysis methods for the seismic stability of equipment on the example of a ventilation unit

Results of calculation seismic resistance analysis of light equipment of nuclear power plants performed on the example of a ventilation unit using two most common analytical techniques - linear spectral analysis and direct dynamic methods - are discussed.

The basic concepts, assumptions and limitations of the linear spectral method are described. Examples are given of specific calculation cases when the method in question is not applicable in the generally accepted formulation. In particular, the phase difference and, possibly, accelerations (displacements) must be taken into consideration in the calculations of extended spatial structures for mutually remote boundary conditions. Another example are the reservoirs not completely filled with liquids. In such case waves may be formed in the liquid and taking them into account is not possible in the linear spectral method.

Specific features are examined of application of the dynamic analysis method including the input data, approaches and methodologies required for synthesizing the calculated accelerograms. A sequence of operations performed during synthesizing calculated accelerograms is provided, materials are provided containing the description of the mathematical apparatus applied for deriving the final mathematical relations for calculating response spectra and the calculation relations as such are given. The concept of the damping coefficient is explained, its influence on the calculated results and the approaches to its determination are demonstrated. Options with complete absence of damping and with absolute damping are discussed.

A real ventilation set applied in active ventilation systems of nuclear power plants was accepted as the test model. Results calculated for the detailed finite-element model of the ventilation unit using the Zenith-95 software package are presented. These results include the distribution of the calculated reduced stresses. Analysis of the results obtained using the two methods demonstrated overestimation of calculated results by the linear spectral method as compared to those obtained by the dynamic analysis method, which means that the former method underestimates the equipment's resistance to seismic effects. In addition, the dynamic method shows additional areas in the ventilation unit where significant reduced stresses are found while the linear spectral method ignores these areas.