Within its 2050 energy plan, Israel examines the demographic implications of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Shivta Rogem site in the Negev. NPP would have a great contribution to the diversity and robustness of energy sources in Israel. A Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is designated to be safer than existing NPPs and will have better resistance to external hazards due to inherent passive safety features. This study develops a risk assessment methodology for a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in particular, SMR, to withstand a large conventional warhead explosion (GBU-28). The methodology comprises: hydro-dynamic simulations, validation of the dynamic simulations using numerical analysis compared to the simulations, risk analysis and damage assessment given the reference scenario of a detonation of a GBU-28 inside the underground water pool of a NuScale SMR. Discrete fragility curves were developed to evaluate the capacity of the SMR critical components. The overall probability of failure was assessed based on a Fault-Tree-Analysis (FTA). Results of the 3 m explosion from the reactor bay wall showed a displacement of 13 cm, breaching of the SMR bay wall and the water pool wall, and 12 cm deflection of the Containment Vessel (CNV). Sensitivity analyses of the uncertainty values were carried out by posting HCLPF (High Confidence Low Probability of Failure) values to the fragility curves. Combination of the results of the study with the failure criteria of NuScale for seismic hazards reveals that given the hazard scenario, core damage is expected accompanied by release of radioactive materials to the atmosphere. The study concludes that building the SMR in Israel will require adapted protective solutions. Future research may examine protective alternatives such as adding a reinforced concrete protecting layer or the possibility to set the SMR at a deeper underground elevation.
Standards, guidelines, manuals, and researches refer mainly to the required protection of a nuclear power plant (NPP) containment structure (where the reactor's vessel is located) against different internal and external extreme events. However, there is no consideration regarding the man-made extreme event of external explosion resulting from air bomb or cruise missile. A novel integrated blast resistance model (IBRM) of NPP's reinforced concrete (RC) auxiliary facilities due to an external above ground explosion based on two components is suggested. The first is structural dynamic response analysis to the positive phase of an external explosion based on the single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) method combined with spalling and breaching empirical correlations. The second is in-structure shock analysis, resulting from direct-induced ground shock and air-induced ground shock. As a case study, the resistance of Westinghouse commercial NPP AP1000 control room, including a representative equipment, to an external above ground blast loading of Scud B-100 missile at various standoff distances ranging from 250 m (far range) till contact, was analyzed. The structure's damage level is based on its front wall supports' angle of rotation and the ductility ratio (dynamic versus elastic midspan displacement ratio). Due to the lack of specific structural damage demands and equipment's dynamic capacities, common protective structures standards and manuals are used while requiring that no spalling or breaching shall occur in the control room while it remains in the elastic regime. The engineering systems and equipments' spectral motions should be less than their capacity. The integrated blast resistance model (IBRM) of the structure and its equipment may be used in wider researches concerning other NPP's auxiliary facilities and systems based upon their specifications.
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