The March 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake in Japan has led many to renew their attention to flood and seismic safety at our nation’s nuclear power plants. Preliminary recommendations from the NRC based on lessons learned from the Fukushima Dai-ichi performance suggest that many utilities will be asked to revisit their seismic and flood Probabilistic Risk Assessments, updating them using state-of-the-art modeling techniques and hazard information. In addition, the joint EPRI / NRC research on seismic hazards in the Central and Eastern U.S. is coming to fruition, and those results may indicate that the seismic hazard at some plants is now considered to be higher than the original design basis.
Exponent engineers can assist the industry to meet these upcoming challenges by providing high-level engineering consultation:
Flood Hazard Assessments using the latest hydrodynamic models (e.g., RMA-2 and ADCIRC) and the most current bathymetric and on-shore topographic data, historical tidal information, and meteorological data.
- Development of fragility (toughness) curves for the seismic, wind or flood risk assessment of plant structures and structural components. Calculations are made using the using state-of-the-art material models and software tools.
- Peer reviews and confirmatory analyses of complex engineering calculations by others in preparation for NRC reviews and audits.
- Geotechnical analysis of the effects of new construction on existing plant.
- Engineering evaluation of expected levee performance.
Exponent is pleased to offer these services in the context of our firm’s broader experience with the nuclear power industry, for whom we have provided guidance in addressing the most complex engineering and scientific problems.