From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments:

RSTO1B Hoc Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:06 AM Versluis, Rob FW: Request for Comment Reactor Building Ability to Support Flooding.docx

Rob Versluis, DOE NE-71, 301-903-1890

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From: RST01 Hoc Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 9:55 PM

To: (b)(6)

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Cc: joel.pero.contractor@unnpp.gov; lela.doyle.contractor@unnpp.gov Subject: Request for Comment Attached is an assessment performed by the structural engineers of our Japanese response team regarding the ability of the reactor building structure to support additional loads of water due to flooding of primary containment and the reactor vessel. Please consider whether this assessment should change the existing RST caution for seismic considerations. This is not an immediate issue, but we should reflect any additional comments in the next RST assessment. Respectfully, Greg RST Coordinator

DK 541 of 1892

Question: Can the reactor building structure support additional loads of water due to flooding of primary containment and reactor vessel.. Response: Item #1: Drywell Flooding The drywell containment is 1-1/2 inch thick steel plate. The bottom of the drywell steel containment is resting directly on concrete. The upper part of the drywell is enclosed by thick (5-7 feet thick) concrete shield walls. There is approximately 2 inch gap between the drywell and shield walls. The foundation more that 30 feet thick. There is no information about the condition of concrete walls or floor after the earthquake/tsunami event. However, it is unlikely that these walls or foundation are severely damaged or cracked. A quick review of the videos or photographs is inconclusive. Addition of water to flood the drywell containment will impose gravity loads. These loads will be directly transferred to the concrete foundation. The concrete foundation is thick and can support these loads. In the unlikely event of a new earthquake while the drywell is flooded, additional horizontal loads will be imposed on the drywell steel. The existing structure has not been analyzed for these loads. However, in the worst case scenario, drywell vessel may deflect 2 inches and come into with the thick concrete shield walls. The shield walls have significant capacity to resist horizontal loads to be imposed by the drywell during this unlikely event. Furthermore, the horizontal ground motion detected during the recent earthquake were about the same or less than design basis. Any subsequent earthquake in future during the short time the drywell is flooded is not likely to be of the same magnitude as the March 11, 2011 earthquake. The reactor vessel is supported on a pedestal inside the drywell. This pedestal is designed for design basis earthquake loads. Once the drywell and reactor vessel are flooded, the horizontal forces transferred to the pedestal are not likely to increase because of the damping effect of the water inside the drywell. In summary, flooding of drywell and reactor vessel is not likely to compromise their structural integrity.
Item # 2 - Suppression Pool (Torus)

The suppression pool (torus) has a diameter of 29.5 foot diameter and major diameter of 109.9 foot diameter. Bottom half of the torus is full of water during normal plant operations. If the torus is flooded to the top, it will increase gravity loads on the 5/8" to 3/4" thick torus steel and associated supports. This will not affect the structural integrity of the torus or associated steel supports.

DK 542 of 1892

During an earthquake, the torus will be subjected to additional horizontal loads due to an increase in total volume of water. However, due to overall rigidity and geometrical configuration, it is not likely to affect the structural integrity of the torus and associated supports.

DK 543 of 1892