Evaluation of the performance of the Sequoyah Unit 1 containment under conditions of severe accident loading

Based on experience with the 1:32-scale and 1:8-scale steel containment models, Sandia National Laboratories has developed analytical techniques for predicting the performance of LWR steel containment buildings subject to loads beyond the design basis. The current investigation is intended to demonstrate the application of these methods to a steel containment building for a licensed nuclear power plant; Sequoyah Unit 1 was chosen for reasons outlined in the paper. The identification and investigation of potential failure modes is documented. Details of the analysis for the containment shell behavior are provided, as well as a brief description of the evaluation of leakage potential for the equipment hatch.