Evaluation of the Seismic Design Criteria in ASCE/SEI Standard 43-05 for Application to Nuclear Power Plants (NUREG/CR-6926)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: January 2007
Date Published: March 2007

Prepared by:
J.I. Braverman¹, J. Xu¹, B.R. Ellingwood², C.J. Costantino¹,
R.J. Morante¹, and C.H. Hofmayer¹

¹Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY 11973-5000

²School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332

A.J. Murphy and B.A. Tegeler, NRC Project Managers

Prepared for:
Division of Fuel, Engineering, and Radiological Research
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

Job Code N6112

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Abstract

This report describes the results of the review and evaluation of ASCE/SEI Standard 43-05, Seismic Design Criteria for Structures, Systems, and Components in Nuclear Facilities, to determine the applicability of this standard to the seismic design of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This effort included the review of this Standard, references cited in the Standard and other supporting documents. As a result of this review, technical and regulatory issues that might need to be addressed are identified and a comparison is made between the criteria presented in the Standard and the criteria provided in NRC regulatory guidance documents.

Throughout this report, observations are made where the provisions of the Standard do not appear to be consistent with current NRC regulatory guidance documents. These observations are followed by recommendations for alternative approaches, further justifications, or the need to adhere to the currently accepted methods in NRC regulatory guidance documents. In some cases, recommendations are made where further detailed review would help resolve the identified question or concern.

The overall conclusion from this review effort is that with properly stipulated Performance Goals and supporting criteria, the approach presented in ASCE/SEI Standard 43-05 can provide acceptable levels of protection against severe low-probability earthquakes. However, some limitations, as defined in this report, are needed to achieve the goals of public safety and environmental protection.