JANTI Guideline for Post-Earthquake Equipment Integrity Assessment

Hiroaki SEKI* *General Manager, Japan Nuclear Technology Institute After the Niigata-ken Chuetsu-oki Earthquake that struck Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station(NPS) in July 2007, Japan Nuclear Technology Institute (JANTI) established the Structural Integrity Assessment Committee for Nuclear Components damaged by Earthquake (SANE). In order to examine and assess how important equipment can maintain its integrity in an earthquake that exceeds the design-basis level, the Committee chaired by Dr. Nomoto, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, gathered many experts specializing in structural strength, inspection, earthquake resistance, and members from electric power companies and manufacturers. SANE Committee released its annual reports four times and closed in March 2012, after holding a total of 18 meetings, also more than 60 meetings of the six working groups set up under the Committee on separate issues. Many of the findings identified in the reports were reflected to inspections and evaluation activities in Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPS. In order to widely share the findings for future earthquakes, moreover, to contribute to safe and stable operation via use in integrity assessment plans for each NPS, the couple of PostEarthquake Equipment Integrity Assessment Guidelines. were developed, as follows, 1. Guideline for Pre-Earthquake Plan and Post-Earthquake Inspections and Assessments The Post-Earthquake Equipment Integrity Assessment Guideline [Pre-Earthquake Plan and Post-earthquake Inspections and Assessments]: JANTI-SANE-G1consists of objective, scope, definitions, overview, pre-earthquake planning, post-earthquake inspection and assessment. Detailed response activities are described within appendix. In addition, examples of equipment selection, examples of inspection items, and descriptions of the analysis methods, as well as relevant information that was taken into account when creating this document, are described in the attachment. IAEA Safety Report No.66, Earthquake Preparedness and Response for Nuclear Power Stations, has been issued in May 2011.It is important for a country with frequent earthquakes to organize and generalize the knowledge and information gained from seismic experience. Therefore, The Guideline presents the results of a review IAEA Safety Report No.66 with regard to its potential application to NPS in Japan, consisting of a pre-earthquake preparation plan and the approaches and procedures of equipment inspections and assessments that should be taken according to the observed seismic motion and damage level. For post-earthquake restart, it is fundamental to verify equipment soundness through postearthquake inspection and assessment, and complete maintenance and repairs to be performed as necessary. The guideline has the following features: Clarify the items to perform prior to an earthquake, e.g., preliminary identification and examination of sections to inspect and soundness data gathering. Divide response activities into four stage (immediate, short term, medium term, long term) according the elapse of time after the occurrence of an earthquake. 95

Determine the inspection and assessment response case depending on the seismic motion level (3 levels) and equipment damage levels (4 levels). When the observed seismic motion exceeds design basis earthquake ground motion Ss, determine the action case according to the characteristics of the seismic motion. Specifically, the Guideline shows technological justification for earthquake preparations to accurately grasp the seismic impact after an earthquake, to reliably conduct integrity assessments and seismic safety assessments of important equipment and to smoothly restart the reactor after shutdown, and is designed to contribute to the creation of procedures that stipulate details for individual NPS. 2. Guideline for Inspection Method of Pipes and Foundation Bolts The Post-Earthquake Equipment Integrity Assessment Guideline [Inspection Method: Pipes, Foundation Bolts]:JANTI-SANE-G2consists of objective, scope, equipment inspection basic policy, basic inspection and additional inspection of pipes and foundation bolts. Plastic strain detection and measurement ,ultrasonic testing method for foundation bolts ,torque check testing method for foundation bolts ,ultrasonic testing method for pipe elbow part are attached as an appendix respectively. This Guideline shows the scope of inspections for static equipment, especially piping and foundation bolts, to be conducted by the NPS when an earthquake occurs. The inspection method for the selected equipment / parts is determined according to the predicted damage modes, such as rupture, excessive deformation, cumulative fatigue. Inspection is classified as basic inspection (visual inspection and functional tests etc., performed for selected equipment) and additional inspection (overhauls and non-destructive tests etc., performed based on basic inspection and seismic response analysis results). It is important to establish a structure that will clarify the standards to comply with and the competence required of inspectors and evaluators, and make precise predictions as to sections that are likely to be damaged by an earthquake. The SANE Committee discussed the qualifications required of inspectors and evaluators, et al, also proposed the ways to evaluate plastic strain and foundation bolt soundness. When the inspection objective and scope coincide, the inspection method in the Guideline may be applied. Both Guidelines were issued by JANTI in March 2012. As deliberations by SANE Committee were mainly implemented prior to March 11, 2011, when the Great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami saw Fukushima accidents, so the Guidelines covered only damage caused by earthquake motion.

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