Objective

Performance of the stress and strain analysis of the containment building of the VVER 1000 in order to enhance its safety.

The project covered the following three areas:

1. Stress and strain analysis of the containment building for all relevant loads and loading situations including internal operational and accidental conditions and external natural and man-induced conditions.
2. Provision of experimental valves of the monitored stresses and strains in the existing operating nuclear plant concrete containment buildings.
3. Provision of engineering know-how and computer tools to allow the Beneficiary to perform the investigations needed in designing and operating pre-stressed concrete containments of NPP.

Result

Experimental values of the monitored stresses and strains in the existing concrete containment buildings of operating NPPs were provided in order to establish a feedback relationship between the measured parameter values and the design values.
Additionally, the local partner institute was provided with the engineering know-how as well as with the corresponding computer tools in order to allow them to perform the investigations needed in designing and operating the pre-stressed concrete containments of NPPs.
After a delayed start the project was progressing in a good co-operation between the parties. The involvement of firmly committed experts in the final project implementation resulted in achievements meeting the needs of the Beneficiary.

The project was completed technically within the contractual time frame. The specific objectives were achieved. The Local Subcontractor was provided with the stress and strain analysis on the containment building of the reference VVER 1000 plant for all the requested loads and loading situations. Experimental values of the monitored stresses and strains from West European plants with concrete containments were provided. The know-how and methodology transfer, including necessary tools for allowing the local experts to perform similar analyses and investigations on the other VVER 1000 containments on their own, was completed successfully.