Researchers from Purdue University have recently finished a testing program to check the structural reliability of a building structure that incorporates important parts of the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant.
The construction design utilizes an inner steel-wall containment vessel and a radiation shield made from steel-concrete-composite construction technology. Instead of the usual reinforced concrete construction packed with steel rebars, the new construction utilized slices of steel faceplates filled with concrete.
According to Dr. Amit H. Varma, Purdue University’s Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and leader of the research team, over 20 full-fledged tests were conducted to assess the basic in-plane behaviour, out-of-plane behaviour, composite behavior and anchorage performance of the steel-concrete composite design utilized in the shield building. He explained that some of the test samples were 3x3 feet in cross-sections and 40 feet long and were set up by utilizing 30-tons capacity cranes. The samples were analyzed with multiple hydraulic rams, each designed to wield a force of 1 million pounds.
The researchers found that the structure is flexible and sturdy enough to endure earthquakes that are more potent than the suggested federal design demands. Moreover the structure offers a notable level of reserve margin to contain the radiation leaks.
Source: http://www.westinghousenuclear.com