16,620 research outputs found
Analysis of Soil-Structure Interaction Effects of NPP Structures on Nonhomogeneous Subsoil
This paper describes the soil-structure interaction
(SSI) effects to the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)
structure with reactor VVER-1200. The simplified 1D and
numerical 3D FE models of the nonhomogeneous subsoil
are investigated. The methodology of the calculation of the
frequency dependent complex functions of the soil stiffness
and damping is presented
Recommended from our members
Impact of accidents on organizational aspects of nuclear utilities
This paper applies the Beer Viable Systems Model (VSM) approach to the study of nuclear accidents. It relates how organizational structures and rules are affected by accidents in the attempt to improve safety and reduce risk. The paper illustrates this process with reference to a number of accidents. The dynamic cybernetic aspect of the VSM approach to organizations yields a better understanding of the need for good decision-making to minimize risk and how organizations really operate
RAVEN: a GUI and an Artificial Intelligence Engine in a Dynamic PRA Framework
Increases in computational power and pressure for
more accurate simulations and estimations of accident scenario consequences are driving the need for Dynamic
Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) [1] of very complex models. While more sophisticated algorithms and
computational power address the back end of this challenge, the front end is still handled by engineers that
need to extract meaningful information from the large amount of data and build these complex models.
Compounding this problem is the difficulty in knowledge transfer and retention, and the increasing speed of
software development. The above-described issues would have negatively
impacted deployment of the new high fidelity plant simulator RELAP-7 (Reactor Excursion and Leak
Analysis Program) at Idaho National Laboratory. Therefore, RAVEN that was initially focused to be the
plant controller for RELAP-7 will help mitigate future
RELAP-7 software engineering risks. In order to accomplish such a task Reactor Analysis
and V
Recommended from our members
Computer trading and systemic risk: a nuclear perspective
Financial markets have evolved to become complex adaptive systems highly reliant on the communication speeds and processing power afforded by digital systems. Their failure could cause severe disruption to the provision of financial services and possibly the wider economy. In this study we consider whether a perspective from the nuclear industry can provide additional insights
A novel qualitative prospective methodology to assess human error during accident sequences
Numerous theoretical models and techniques to assess human error were developed since the 60's. Most of these models were developed for the nuclear, military, and aviation sectors. These methods have the following weaknesses that limit their use in industry: the lack of analysis of underlying causal cognitive mechanisms, need of retrospective data for implementation, strong dependence on expert judgment, focus on a particular type of error, and/or analysis of operator behaviour and decision-making without considering the role of the system in such decisions. The purpose of the present research is to develop a qualitative prospective methodology that does not depend exclusively on retrospective information, that does not require expert judgment for implementation and that allows predicting potential sequences of accidents before they occur. It has been proposed for new (or existent) small and medium- scale facilities, whose processes are simple. To the best of our knowledge, a methodology that meets these requirements has not been reported in literature thus far. The methodology proposed in this study was applied to the methanol storage area of a biodiesel facility. It could predict potential sequences of accidents, through the analysis of information provided by different system devices and the study of the possible deviations of operators in decision-making. It also enabled the identification of the shortcomings in the human-machine interface and proposed an optimization of the current configuration.Fil: Calvo Olivares, Romina Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de CapacitaciĂłn Especial y Desarrollo de IngenierĂa Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: Rivera, Selva Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de CapacitaciĂłn Especial y Desarrollo de IngenierĂa Asistida por Computadora; ArgentinaFil: NĂșñez Mc Leod, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ingenieria. Instituto de CapacitaciĂłn Especial y Desarrollo de IngenierĂa Asistida por Computadora; Argentin
Numerical simulation of long and slender cylinders vibrating in axial flow applied to the Myrrha reactor
Flow induced vibrations are an important concern
in the design of nuclear reactors. One of the possible designs of the 4th generation nuclear reactors is a lead-cooled fast reactor of which MYYRHA is a prototype. The combination of high liquid density, flow velocity, low pitch-to-diameter ratio and the absence of grid spacers makes this design prone to flow induced vibrations. Although most vibrations are induced by cross flow, axial flow around this slender structure could also induce vibrations. In order to gain insight in the possible vibrations (either induced by cross flow, axial flow or an external excitation) this study examines the change of eigenmodes and frequencies of a bare rod due to the lead-bismuth flow. To do so partitioned simulations of the fluid structure interaction are performed in which the structure is initially perturbed according to an in-air eigenmode
Looking back to see the future: building nuclear power plants in Europe
The so-called ânuclear renaissanceâ in Europe is promulgated by the execution of two large engineering projects involving the construction of two European Pressurized Reactors (EPRs) in Flamanville, France and Olkiluoto in Finland. As both projects have faced budget overruns and delays, this paper analyses their governance and history to derive lessons useful for the construction of future projects. Analysis indicates that the reasons for these poor outcomes are: overoptimistic estimations, first-of-a-kind (FOAK) issues and undervaluation of regulation requirements. These pitfalls have the potential to impact on many other engineering construction projects and highlight fruitful areas of further research into project performance
- âŠ