The Limiting Strength Analysis of ВВЭР-1000 Power Unit Containment
The design analysis of the limiting strength of ВВЭР-1000 reactor containment under the increasing inner pressure loading up to its destruction was implemented. A detailed mathematical model of the containment (with over a million degrees of freedom) was designed. It takes into account the tracing of tendons ropes, geometrical features of the containment, presence of large technological orifices, wall thickening near the orifices, hermetic steel lining and concrete reinforcement of the containment. The interaction between the containment and tendons of a pre-stressing system, including losses of rope tension forces, was taken into account. The results of experiments on the containment models conducted in laboratories of Russia and the USA (Sandia National Laboratories) were taken into account at the assignment of limiting states criteria of the containment. The parameters of emergency pressure loading, which lead to through-wall cracks appearance, to ductile deformations in bar reinforcement, steel lining and tendons and also to destruction of the structure were determined. 6 Figures. 1 Table. 6 References.