Containment leakage characterization with BARCOM test results for design and over pressure conditions

Structural integrity assessment of nuclear containment through fracture characterization

“…The milestone of stage III, with regard to the “first appearance of localized crack” was identified, in the discontinuity regions of MAL, EAL, and FMAL, through online monitoring of the inelastic strains using embedded VWSG and other strain gauges and confirmed with soap bubble test. The stage IV experiment is based on the evaluation of ultimate load capacity of BARCOM test model . The structural integrity and health of the containment model were continuously monitored during the over pressure tests at the different over‐pressures through the strain measurement at various El levels.…”

“…The present experimental program was organized by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, India, for safety assessment of nuclear containment structures in case of the beyond design basis severe accidents. Under this program, an international round robin analysis was organized on BARC Containment (BARCOM) test model . The BARCOM test model of 1:4 size of pre‐stressed concrete inner containment structure of 540 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor of Tarapur Atomic Power Station Unit 3&4, as shown in Figure , was constructed in BARC experimental facilities at Tarapur.…”

“…However, the identification of the crack formation, its trajectories during the crack propagation in case of over‐pressure tests, reveals additional information for the fracture characterization and structural integrity assessment of the containment structure. Therefore, precise analyses of strain data are performed on BARCOM test model, through the installed embedded sensors, during the various initial over‐pressure conditions (OPCs) . The strain data obtained through the response of the embedded sensors of this test model helped in the identification of cracks under over pressure conditions, which were in addition confirmed qualitatively through the soap bubble tests.…”

“…However, for evaluating the fracture properties of concrete containments, in a quantitative manner with regard to crack formation, development of FPZ and crack propagation, localized full‐field strain mapping at the identified critical locations needs to be performed. In view of this, the DIC experimental technique was also implemented on BARCOM test model at Tarapur site by fixing four cameras at the critical locations identified through pre‐test analysis and further confirmed during initial over‐pressure tests . In the present study, DIC experiments have been used to map the full field of strain for visualizing the fracture growth, fracture propagation, and formation of FPZ on the BARCOM test model under over pressure conditions.…”

“…Under this program, an international round robin analysis was organized on BARC Containment (BARCOM) test model. [1][2][3] The BARCOM test model of 1:4 size of pre-stressed concrete inner containment Nomenclature: f t , tensile strength of concrete; w, crack opening displacement; w c , crack opening displacement at peak load; E, Young's modulus of elasticity of concrete; G f , fracture energy of concrete; P d , design pressure; σ, cohesive stress; ε, strain perpendicular to the crack growth structure of 540 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor of Tarapur Atomic Power Station Unit 3&4, as shown in Figure 1, was constructed in BARC experimental facilities at Tarapur. The design pressure (P d ) of the concrete containment model structure cast with M45 grade (diameter 12.376 m, nominal wall thickness 0.188 m, dome thickness of 0.164 m, and overall height of 15.75 m) is 0.1413 MPa.…”