A new reactor containment concept by energy absorption

Abstract Primary containment of Nuclear Power Plants, as affected by maximum accident considerations, was provided in the past through structural entities commonly designed to satisfy pressure-volume calculations. This approach, due to the large and fictitious pressures involved in the calculations, did not disclose the presence and magnitude of existing margins of safety. A more realistic approach equating the destructive component of energy in the maximum accident to the strain energy of the material confining the reactor was initiated. Material (high tensile strength steel strands) capable of exhibiting large amounts of elastic and plastic strain was considered and found suitable to absorb the destructive component of energy for most reactors heretofore constructed. Resulting configurations of energy absorbing devices appear entirely feasible. In addition to very substantial reductions in the cost of primary nuclear containment, the concept offers a clear approach to a realistic assessment of a safety margins available in maximum reactor accidents. A modified version of this containment concept is presently applied in an experimental facility design. Practically all structural materials employed are off-the-shelf items. Also a simple erection procedure has been devised.