Mechanical Analysis of the containment building behavior for the

French PWR 900 MWe under severe accident

Dr Georges Nahas 1, Mr. Bertrand Cire 1 .
ABSTRACT
In the framework of PSA level 2 project, the mechanical analysis of the containment building behavior for the
French PWR 900 MWe under severe accident is carried out by IRSN. The calculations used for this analysis were
performed with CAST3M computation software using the finite element method. The aim was to assess the containment
failure risk due to pressurization effects cumulated with thermal effects obtained in the case of a severe accident.
French PWR 900 MWe containment is made of prestressed reinforced concrete. Its structure consists in a cylinder
and a toro-spherical dome. Inner surface of the containment includes a steel liner. Initial design allows a 0.5 MPa
absolute inner pressure.
A deterministic three-dimensional model is used for the computations. The concrete part is represented by solid
linear elements. The reinforcement is represented by linear 2-node elements. The tendons are also represented by linear
2-node elements and meshed with their deviations in the dome and around the penetrations. The liner is meshed by thin
shell elements.
The analyses are based on a multi-scale steps method: a three dimensional (3D) full model aiming, in particular, to
identify the sensitive area of the containment and to determine the boundary conditions to impose on local models of
structure, representative of the singularities of the containment such as the equipment hatch.
Three steps of modeling are performed:
o A 3D full model calculates the initial containment state with effects of structure own weight, prestressing system
with relaxation in tendons and concrete creep and shrinkage. In this model BPEL 1999 formulas (French regulatory
standard) are used to evaluate the 30-year aging differed concrete deformation and the instantaneous and differed losses
of tension in the tendons. The deviations of the tendons around the equipment hatch and personnel airlock are considered.
o A 3D quarter model, with different materials : concrete, rebars, tendons, liner, ground, internal structures, metal
sleeves, ring and head of the equipment hatch, calculates the non-linear mechanical behavior of containment with respect
to thermal and pressure loading; results are also used for bounding conditions of local calculation.
o A 3D local model of equipment hatch, which is the weakest part of structure for containment.
This paper presents the first two steps, the third step is presented in another paper in reference [1].
The severe accident scenario used is an upper bound loading. This loading is a progressive increasing of pressure
and temperature values inside the containment building:
o A large break at full power cumulated with initial CHRS failure and late safety injection failure.
o Vessel rupture is supposed to occur 25 hours after initial break; a 1.14 MPa absolute pressure peak is due to
hydrogen burning
o A long-term loading is then due to Melt-Corium Concrete Interaction (MCCI) and inner containment water
sump.
Two sensitivity studies are performed to identify temperature effects:
o The same loading with only pressure, without temperature variation.
o The same loading with only the long-term phase, without pressure and temperature peak.
Both scenarii are calculated until 1.14 MPa absolute of pressure in order to exhibit by comparing the results of
these three calculations, the temperature effect in the accidental loading. The analysis results of the three scenarii allow to
extrapolate the mechanical behavior of the containment building to other scenarii because, according to the results of
calculations, the mechanical phenomena are mainly controlled by the pressure. These scenarii give the ultimate
confinement stability of the containment building.
Analysis of results shows that loss of confinement depends only on liner integrity, because concrete failures occur
quite early. Experts have used in particular PCCV (NUPECNRC-SANDIA) mock-up tests and ISP48 analysis to define
local criteria for liner rupture. These criteria take into account the assumptions and uncertainties of modeling (F.E. size
and homogenized liner)
Local calculations of equipment hatch confirm that it can be a weak part of the structure: mechanical contacts of
closing system may be lost. Containment tightness depends then only on the bolts and seal behavior.

Senior Civil Engineer, Institut de Radioprotection et Sret Nuclaire, Reactor Safety Division, Structure and
Equipment Analysis Department, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

1. INTRODUCTION
During a severe accident, the containment building might be subjected to several loadings which exceed the
design pressure. The time varying pressure and temperature constitute the thermo-mechanical loading. The studies
carried out by the IRSN within the framework of "Probabilistic Safety Assessment level 2" (PSA2) project on the French
PWR 900 MW aim at evaluating the response of the containment building to a quasi-static loading, corresponding to a
peak of pressure or a slow rise in pressure [4].
Considering several families of severe accident scenarii, the AF scenario has been selected by computations. This
calculation carried out by linear analysis leads to the most important degradations of the containment building.
The AF scenario comprises 3 phases (see figure 1) :

The first phase of thermal preloading corresponds to the degradation of the core. Times P1 and P2
correspond to the beginning and the end of this phase.

The second phase of the peak of pressure and temperature corresponds to an isochoric adiabatic
hydrogen burning produced by the oxidation of the fuel cladding in the core. Time P3 corresponds to
the peak.

The third phase with slow rise in pressure and temperature corresponds to the Melt-Corium Concrete
Interaction (MCCI) with the assumption of its contact with the water in the sump. Times P4 and P5
correspond to the beginning and the end of this phase. The duration of this phase is supposed to be
equal to 100 hours and the pressure reached at the end of the transient is equal to 1 MPa absolute.
The levels of pressure and temperature of the second phase vary until an ultimate pressure. The selected value of
peak of ultimate pressure is equal to 1.14 MPa absolute, and corresponds to an isochoric adiabatic burning of 125% of
fuel cladding oxidation in the core. The duration of the peak is supposed to be equal to 90 seconds with a rise in 30
seconds, and a decrease in 60 seconds.
In order to quantify the effect of the temperature in the loading of the severe accident and to extrapolate the
studies with the other scenarii of severe accidents while keeping a reasonable number of nonlinear computations, the
loadings of severe accidents selected are limited to three scenarii:

Scenario AF;

Scenario AF without the peak of pressure and temperature, called scenario AS;

Scenario in pressure without loading in temperature, called scenario PL.

The study of the mechanical behavior of the containment building under the effect of these three scenarii is carried
out within the framework of PSA2 project in order to assess the leakage of the reactor building [4].
AF scenario

250

3
2,8
2,6

200

Temperature (C)

2,2
2
150

1,8
1,6
1,4

100

1,2

P3

P5

1
0,8

50

P2

Pressure (MPa) absolute

2,4

0,6

P4

0,4

P1

0,2
0
0

50 000

100 000

150 000

200 000

250 000

300 000

350 000

400 000

450 000

0
500 000

Time (sec)
Tmax inner liner

Tmax containment building concrete

Pressure

Figure 1 - Evolution of the pressure and the temperature in the containment building

2.

MULTI-SCALE STEPS APPROACH

The computations are performed in nonlinear analysis by finite element method. They are carried out considering
a multi-scale steps approach, aiming to the understanding of the behavior of the structure with various levels of detail, by
distinguishing the current area of the containment building and specificities of the equipment hatch with its closure
device. The steps approach makes it possible to represent in a realistic way the various thermo-mechanical phenomena by
preserving a reasonable duration of computations. (see figure 2)
This paper presents the computations carried out with the full model of the containment building and the quarter
model. The local model of equipment hatch and the restricted model of ring, flange, head and screws are detailed in
another paper in reference [1].
These computations are optimized on the IRSN computer system in order to be realizable on a full model of the
containment building with software CAST3M [5] for a reasonable computations (275 hours).
2.1. FULL MODEL CALCULATION OF THE INITIAL STATE OF THE CONTAINMENT BUILDING
The calculation of the severe accident scenario requires knowing the initial state of the building before the
accident. Within the framework of PSA2 project, the age of the containment buildings is taken equal to 30 years. The
calculation of prestressed reference level giving the state of the structure after 30-year aging is carried out on a generic
containment building of a French PWR 900 MWe. The selected reactor is the 3rd unit of Blayais NPP.

Full model

Quarter model

Finer models for liner

Figure 2 - Models of the multi-scale approach

The position and the setting in tension of the tendons generate non symmetric deformations which require a full
model of the containment building.
The mesh simulates the concrete of the containment building, the reinforcement, the liner, the concrete of
protection resting on the basemat, the ring of the equipment hatch with the sleeve, the flanges and the hemispherical
head. All the tendons, their geometry and their deviations around the equipment hatch penetration and the two personnel
airlocks, are modeled precisely but the internal structures are modeled in a simplified model. The model simulates also
the effect of the ground and the backfilling. The figures 3 and 4 present the mesh used for this calculation.
The concrete containment building is subjected to deadweight, and prestressed tendons loading calculated by
taking into account a tensioning during 9 months in 9 phases. The calculation of prestressing takes into account losses of
tension of the tendons by frictions (linear and angular) and by relaxation (2.5% at 1000 hours), losses due to the
backward movement of the heads of tendons anchoring, as well as instantaneous losses by elastic behavior of the
concrete.
During each phase of setting in tension of the tendons, and during the 30-year aging, the shrinkage and the creep
of the concrete are estimated according to the formulas of the BPEL 1999 (French regulatory standard). They are
introduced at each phase of calculation as an initial strain loading, according to the characteristics of concrete drying,
loading age, and stress state. The calculation of prestressed and creep at 30-year aging is the base of all the mechanical
computations carried out with the various modelings.

Figure 3 Tendons and containment building mesh used for full model

Figure 4 Closure device, liner and rebars mesh used for full model
2.2. QUARTER MODEL COMPUTATIONS OF THE SEVERE ACCIDENTS
The mechanical computations under the severe accident conditions are carried out on a mesh representing a
quarter of containment building in order to reduce the computations cost.
The calculation results of prestressed tendons loading and concrete shrinkage and creep, carried out on the full
model of the containment building, is projected on the quarter model, before applying the severe accident loading in
pressure and temperature. These computations are carried out in best estimate way, without taking into account the
variability and uncertainties of the characteristics of materials.
For both scenarii AF and AS, the thermal computations, which define the field of temperature associated to the
pressure loading, are realized in linear transient. The boundary thermal conditions used between the concrete of the
containment building and the steel of the liner suppose a 1mm gap representing the thermal resistance between the
concrete and the steel. This gap of air makes it possible to simulate the temperature discontinuity between two materials
despite their physical continuity. Indeed, the liner is used as permanent formwork for fresh concrete of the containment
building.

As for full model, the quarter model simulates the concrete of the containment building, the reinforcement, the
liner, the concrete of protection laying on the basemat, the ring of the equipment hatch with the sleeve, the flanges and
the hemispherical head. All the tendons, their geometry and their deviations around the equipment hatch are modeled
precisely, but the internal structures are modeled in a simplified model. The model simulates also the effect of the ground
and the backfilling. The figure 2 presents the mesh used for this calculation.
The concrete is modeled by 8-node solid F.E. with a nonlinear behavior (OTTOSEN Model), the tendons as well
as the rebars are modeled by 2-node bar F.E with an elastic-plastic behavior with isotropic stress hardening (Von Mises
Model).
The liner is modeled by thin shell F.E. with an elastic-plastic behavior with isotropic stress hardening (Von Mises
Model) [5].
The ground response, under the basemat and laterally due to backfilling, is simulated using a super-element model
with possible basemat local uplift.
The computation results analyzes of the three severe accident scenarii (AF, AS and PL) lead to the following
remarks:
the calculation of AF scenario makes it possible to confirm the identification of the most sensitive

areas of the containment building, in particular the area of the equipment hatch and the area of the
gusset with cracks crossing this zone towards the prestressed gallery (see figure 5).;

Figure 5 At the peak of AF scenario (mark P3) deformation amplified 100 times
- vertical section showing concrete cracking at equipment hatch and free field view

the comparison of the computation results of the three scenarii (AF, AS and PL) allows for
evaluating the effect of the temperature on the accidental loading applied (see figure 6 and figure
7). Indeed, by comparison between the two scenarii AF and AS, we can observe a quasi reversible
behavior of the containment building in the current area;
the value of the plastic equivalent strain at free field vertical section is very small for the three
scenario less than 0.1 % (see figure 8).

0,06

0,05

Displacement (m)

0,04

0,03

0,02

AF Scenario
AS Scenario
PL Scenario

0,01

-0,01

-0,02
0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

1,1

1,2

Pressure MPa absolute

Figure 6 Radial displacement level +22.9 m at azimuth 67.5

0,04

0,03

0,01

AF Scenario
AS Scenario
PL Scenario

-0,01

-0,02
0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

1,1

1,2

Pressure MPa absolute

Figure 7 Vertical displacement level +22.9 m at azimuth 67.5

0,10%
0,09%
0,08%

Plastic equivalent strain

Displacement (m)

0,02

0,07%
0,06%

AF Scenario
AS Scenario
PL Scenario

0,05%
0,04%
0,03%
0,02%
0,01%
0,00%
0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

1,1

1,2

Pressure MPa absolute

Figure 8 Plastic equivalent strain in the liner level +22.9 m at azimuth 67.5

the maximum plastic equivalent strain obtained in scenario AF after the peak of pressure (mark
P4) is more important than at the peak (mark P3), due to the effect of the thermal loading (see
figure 9);
1,3%
1,2%
1,1%

Plastic equivalent strain

1,0%
0,9%
0,8%

AF Scenario
AS Scenario
PL Scenario

0,7%
0,6%
0,5%
0,4%
0,3%
0,2%
0,1%
0,0%
0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

1,1

1,2

Pressure MPa absolute

Figure 9 Maximum plastic equivalent strain in the liner

the analysis of the results of the three scenarii allows to extrapolate the mechanical behavior of the
containment building to other scenarii because, according to the results of computations, the
mechanical phenomena are mainly controlled by pressure;
the leakage pass through the possible tears of the liner and the cracks in the prestressed concrete
wall of the containment building;
the calculated strains of the liner remain much lower than the values measured strain of material at
rupture and, according to modeling results, there should not be any tear of the liner and the
confinement should be preserved;
the analysis and the interpretation of the results to estimate, according to the strain reached, the
risks of loss of confinement of the containment building (liner, prestressed concrete wall) requires
the recourse to experimental results to define the criteria of acceptability of nonlinear
computations;
the computations results are confronted with some experimental data on mock-up, in particular,
PCCV mock-up (NUPEC NRC - SANDIA), in order to approach, when possible, the kind of
failure, and the associated leakage. A group of experts took part in this analysis criteria validation.

2.3. ANALYZE TEST RESULTS ON MOCK-UP

The use of the test results representative of the problem is a major item for the validation of the computations
carried out with software CAST3M. The difficulty is to find tests representative of the loading considered [2].
The PCCV mock-up (NUPEC NRC SANDIA) represents a 1:4 scale containment building made of
prestressed concrete with a liner. Tests of pressurization of the mock-up with dry air at ambient temperature were carried
out at SANDIA Lab (USA) followed by one test with water up to the ruin.
The tests carried out on PCCV mock-up showed the existence of tears in the liner with significant leakage for
values of pressure of 1.07 MPa absolute [3].
Another test on a RCCV mock-up (NRC SANDIA) representing a 1:6 scale containment building made of
reinforced concrete with a liner submitted to pressure loading gave similar results. Even if the post-tests analyzes brought
different explanations on the origin of the first tears of the liner for both mock-ups, the value of pressure leading to the
loss of confinement was the same, about 1 MPa absolute [2].
The analysis of the results of the tests on PCCV mock-up and their computation simulations were carried out
within the framework of the OECD's ISP48 project. The IRSN took part in this benchmark. The computations were
performed with software CAST3M using the same method as for PSA2 project [3].

The computations carried out by the IRSN and various teams taking part in the benchmark could not find these
liner tears at this pressure level, even by taking into account the various geometrical singularities.
At this level of pressure in the containment building, the strain of the liner in the free field cylinder area is about
0.3 to 0.5%. This value is much lower than the ultimate values given by the characterization tests of specimens liner
realized after the tests on the mock-up.
But, the computations simulate correctly the test with water up to the ruin and the observed tear at the end of the
test. The explanation of this point is, in particular, due to uncertainties of modeling, and the assumptions made in
computations. The phenomenon of the tear of the liner is a very local problem at the size of welding, while computations
are carried out on a global scale and the size of the finite elements used is about a few tens of centimeters. To find the
possible tears of the liner, the models should be at the phenomenon scale and has to take into account the singularities.
Each welding, each anchor and the possible cracks created in the concrete, should be modeled by the use of tools which
make it possible to simulate the localization of the strain in the structure. The transposition of the PCCV mock-up results
to computations of the containments of PSA2 project led to the following criterion: the maximum plastic equivalent
strain obtained by non-linear computations must be lower than a value of 0.30% 0.15%. Beyond this value a risk of tear
of the liner is very probable by localization.
This criterion related on modeling carried out and the level of the refining of the mesh was retained to take
account of uncertainties related on modeling and the assumptions.
The generalization of this criterion for the case of the thermo-mechanical loadings lead to limit the mechanic part
of the total strain to this value of 0.30%.
3. CONCLUSION
The confinement of the reactor building which represents the third barrier is evaluated by the quantification of the
possible leakage in the environment. In the case of French PWR 900 MWe with single wall, the leak tightness is insured
by the liner integrity. The nonlinear computations, performed within the framework of IRSN PSA2 project made it
possible to simulate the mechanical behavior of the containment building in severe accident conditions and to detect the
most sensitive areas of the structure. This computations results show that mechanical behavior is quasi-reversible up to
1.14 MPa absolute, which is the selected value of ultimate pressure.
The study of three scenarii AF, AS and PL made it possible to extrapolate the results to other scenarii of severe
accident. This extrapolation is justified by the fact that the mechanical phenomena are controlled mainly by the pressure.
According to the value of the strain of 0.3% of the liner recommended by the group of expert based on the mockup data, the limit pressure of confinement is about 1.05 MPa for AF scenario and 0.975 MPa for PL scenario. This leads
us to consider that the average value of the limit pressure of confinement loss is about 1 MPa absolute.
It should be noted that computations are carried out without taking into account the possible defects of welding or
the degradation by corrosion of the liner because these phenomena are very difficult to simulate. For this reason, a safety
coefficient shout be used to determine the limit pressure for loss of confinement.
The other weak parts of the building, like the equipment hatch, the personnel airlocks and penetrations, need to be
checked because the limit pressure depends also on the leak resistance of these parts.
4. REFERENCES
[1] Cire B., Nahas G., 2007
Mechanical Analysis of the equipment hatch behaviour for the French PWR 900 MWe under severe accident.
Proc. SMIRT, Toronto, CANADA.
[2] Hessheimer M. F., Dameron R. A., 2006
Containment Integrity Research at Sandia National Laboratories
NUREG/CR-6906 SAND2006-2274P
[3] International Strandard Problem No. 48- Containment capacity, 2004
Phase 2 Report Results of Pressure Loading Analysis
Nuclear Safety NEA/CSNI/R(2004)11
[4] Raimond E., Laurent B.; Meignen R.; Nahas G.; Cire B.; 2004
Advanced modelling and response surface method for physical models of level 2 PSA event tree
CSNI-WG-Risk Workshop level 2 PSA and severe accident management, Kln, GERMANY.
[5] Verpeaux P., Millard A., Charras T., Combescure A., 1989.
A modern approach of large computer codes for structural analysis.
Proc. SMIRT, Los Angeles, USA.