Prediction of prestressing losses for long term operation of nuclear reactor buildings

I. Cornish-Bowden; G. Thillard; B. Capra

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20111204002

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Volume 12 (2011)

EPJ Web of Conferences, 12 (2011) 04002

Abstract

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Issue		EPJ Web of Conferences Volume 12, 2011 AMP 2010 – International Workshop on Ageing Management of Nuclear Power Plants and Waste Disposal Structures (EFC Event 334)


Article Number		04002
Number of page(s)		11
Section		Evaluation of Long Term Performance
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20111204002
Published online		12 April 2011

EPJ Web of Conferences 12, 04002 (2011)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20111204002

Prediction of prestressing losses for long term operation of nuclear reactor buildings

I. Cornish-Bowden^a, G. Thillard and B. Capra

Oxand SA, 49 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 77210 Avon, France

^a e-mail: isadora.cornish@oxand.com

Abstract

Prestressed concrete is used in nuclear reactor buildings to guarantee containment and structural integrity in case of an accident. Monitoring and operating experience over 40 years has shown that prestressing losses can be much greater than the design estimation based on the usual standard laws. A method was developed to determine the realistic residual prestress level in structures, in particular for those where no embedded instrumentation was installed, taking into account in situ measurement results rather than design characteristics. The results can enable the owner to justify extending the lifespan while guaranteeing adequate safety and to define and plan adequate maintenance actions.