Failure Prediction of BWR MARK-1 Containment due to Overpressurization

Abstract

An overpressurizing analysis of a BWR MARK-I steel containment structure has been performed to give better understanding of its behavior under severe accidents. Since the actual response, instead of a conservative one, is desired in the analysis, structural details were considered in the analysis and modelling details were described . A global analysis determines the possible rupture location and the corresponding pressure. Possible leakage locations were investigated. Drywell head flange seems to be the only possible location to have leakage before rupture pressure is reached. Factors affecting this leakage pressure were discussed.