Three-Dimensional Seismic Analysis for Spent Fuel Storage Rack

Three-Dimensional Seismic Analysis for Spent Fuel Storage Rack

Time history analysis is usually performed to characterize the nonlinear seismic behavior of a spent fuel storage rack(SFSR). In the past, the seismic analyses of the SFSR were performed with two-dimensional planar models, which could not account for torsional response and simultaneous multi-directional seismic input In this study, three-dimensional seismic analysis methodology is developed for the single SFSR using the ANSYS code. The 3D- Model can be used to determine the nonlinear behavior of the rack, i.e., sliding, uplifting, and impact evaluation between the fuel assembly and rack, and rack and the pool wall, This paper also reviews the 3-D modeling of the SFSR and the adequacy of the ANSYS for the seismic analysis. AS a result of the adquacy study, the method of ANSYS transient analysis with acceleration time history is suitable for the seismic analysis of highly nonlinear structure such as an SFSR but it isn't appropriate to use displacement time history of seismic input.