Testing of a 1:6-Scale Concrete Containment Model: Instrumentation, Data Acquisition, and Pressure Control

摘要

A 1:6-scale model of a reactor containment building was tested by Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) as part of an NRC-sponsored program whose objective is to qualify methods for predicting the response of light water reactor containment buildings subjected to severe accidents. This model was designed and built to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code by United Engineers and Constructors, Inc. It had several features representative of a prototypical reinforced containment, including equipment hatches, personnel airlocks, several small piping penetrations, and a steel liner. This was the largest and most heavily instrumented containment model ever tested. Over 1200 channels of instrumentation were utilized to assess the model's behavior during testing. The final test was conducted continuously for approximately 32 hours, during which time the model was pressurized with nitrogen gas to its ultimate capacity. The pressure control system was used to pressurize the model in steps and after each step the transducers were scanned to record the model's response. This paper decribes the conduct and outcome of the test as well as the instumentation that was used to obtain the test data. The selection, installation, protection, and performance of the instrumentation are discussed. The data acquisition and pressure control systems are also described. (ERA citation 13:030260)