Full-scale seismic verification test for 600MWe CANDU fuelling machine and its correlation analysis

One of the unique features of the CANDU reactor is its on power refuelling capability, which is facilitated by the two fuelling machines moving over the reactor (calandria) faces and engaging in the refuelling process. The F/M system has a number of geometric and mechanical non-linearities. To predict both the linear and non-linear dynamic response and to evaluate the seismic capability of the F/M system during an earthquake, it requires the development of a new non-linear seismic analysis code. This effort was initiated in 1983 as a joint study between EPDC (Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.) and MISM (Muto Institute of Structural Mechanics, Inc.) of Japan, and AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) of Canada. EPDC and AECL also conducted a forced vibration test using the actual F/M system and correlation analysis about the test results using a newly developed non-linear seismic analysis code.