Detailed seismic analysis of nuclear structures is carried out in order to obtain seismic induced stresses, which are used for design of various members of the structure. An alternative method to detailed seismic analysis is the Equivalent Static Method (ESM). This method is simpler, conservative and cost-effective. In many design codes and standards such as IEEE, USNRC and ASCE, it is stated that this equivalent static method is recommended only for those structures, which can be represented by a simple model and has simple dynamic characteristics as that of a cantilever beam.
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