Study of RC Columns Subjected to Combined Thermal and Mechanical Loadings in Nuclear Power Plants: Experimental and Theoretical Analysis

Calculating the thermal moment is of paramount importance in the design of nuclear power plants. In order to optimize the calculation method of the thermal moment acting on reinforced concrete (RC) columns in nuclear power plants, a theoretical calculation model for the thermal moment of RC columns during accidental thermal loading is proposed using theoretical analyses. In order to verify the validity of the theoretical calculation model, the bearing capacity of the RC columns under accidental thermal loading was tested, and the sample comprised 10 specimens with different parameters. Furthermore, nonlinear finite element modeling of the specimens was conducted and subsequently verified through a series of tests. The thermal moments of the specimens were also calculated using the method stipulated within ACI 307. Finally, a comparison and analysis of the results obtained from the finite elements, from the specification, and from the theoretical calculation model was undertaken. The findings of this paper indicate that the theoretical calculation model of the thermal moment acting on RC columns, developed in this study, is reliable.