Wave Propagation Analysis of Piping Structures

It is becoming important to carry out detailed modeling procedures and analyses to better understand the actual phenomena. Because some accidents caused by high-frequency vibrations of piping have been recently reported, the clarification of the dynamic behavior of the piping structure during operation is imperative in order to avoid such accidents. The aim of our research is to develop detailed analysis tools and to determine the dynamic behavior of piping systems in nuclear power plants, which are complicated assemblages of different parts. In this study, a three-dimensional dynamic frame analysis tool for wave propagation analysis is developed by using the spectral element method (SEM) based on the Timoshenko beam theory. Further, a multi-connected structure is analyzed and compared with the experimental results. Consequently, the applicability of the SEM is shown.