SOME STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF NUCLEAR CONTAINMENT LINERS.

Abstract The evaluation of forces and deformations of liner plate anchors in containment structures is studied. These forces and deformations are due to buckling, and hence reduction in load carrying capacity, of a panel of the liner plate. Specifically, the behavior of headed stud and of continuous rib type anchors is investigated. The stiffness characteristics of the anchors are based on experimental evidence, and are nonlinear. Parameters which are varied include the plate thickness, yield stress, and anchor spacing. The results of several representative configurations are presented from which behavior trends can be observed. It is found that an increase in yield stress, of an amount often encountered in practice causes a large increase in anchor force and deformation. On the other hand, a plate thickness increase of 15% results in a much smaller increase of anchor force and displacement.