ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF EXPLOSIONS ON NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Waleed Abdel-Latif Attia , Basma. M. F. Hassan

Keywords:

Reinforced concrete containment, Egypt nuclear plant (EL-DABAA), VVER-1200, Blast load, Numerical simulation, Risk assessment

Abstract:

Nuclear power offers a low-carbon energy alternative to fossil fuels, but requires careful management due to its complexity and potential risks. It doesn't produce air pollution or CO2 emissions during operation, making it attractive for countries seeking clean energy sources [1,2]. Many nations throughout the world support nuclear energy as a clean energy source that aligns with the environmental protection idea of "carbon emission reduction." While the European Commission has already appointed nuclear power as a "green" investment, the UK government is currently trying to reclassify nuclear power as "environmentally sustainable" to draw in private investment [2, 3].

For the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (DNPP), the first of its kind in Egypt, my research focused on the critical role of the reinforced concrete (RC) containment system. This vital barrier acts as the last line of defense, preventing the release of radioactive materials during accidents like earthquakes, fires, explosions, or even terrorist attacks. To assess the response of this containment structure to internal or external explosions, this paper utilized advanced modeling techniques. This analysis involved simulating the generation, propagation, and impact of the blast wave on the structure. Using ANSYS software, this research investigated four scenarios with explosions occurring at varying distances 14.80 meters, 10 meters and 1 meter from the containment. My study revealed a significant influence of material properties, structural dimensions, and the characteristics of the blast itself on the behavior of the containment under extreme loads. Importantly, the findings demonstrate that explosions can cause substantial damage. This information is crucial for the design of even more robust nuclear facilities and the development of advanced repair strategies for structures potentially impacted by blasts.

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