Seismic Protection of Small Modular Reactors

The next edition of ASCE Standard 4 will include detailed provisions for the seismic isolation of structures, systems and components in safety-related nuclear structures. The provisions are based on those available in North America for buildings, bridges and other infrastructure but address issues particular to nuclear energy construction and take advantage of recent research funded by federal agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science Foundation. The paper highlights these research products and their incorporation into ASCE Standard 4. Although the focus of the studies and ASCE Standard 4 is analysis of conventional light water reactors of 500+MWe, most of the conclusions are applicable to small modular reactors.