Leak area and leakage rate prediction for probabilistic risk assessment of concrete containments under severe core conditions

The fundamental gap in knowledge for estimating release for probabilistic risk assessment of concrete containments subject to beyond design basis loads is in estimating leak areas and leakage rates. By evaluating the available literature and carefully studying the test results, several generic rules are postulated for leak areas and leakage rates of concrete containments. These rules, coupled with Rizkalla's theory-based leakage flow equations and empirically-based crack roughness constants, provide a realistic estimate of leak rates through liner tears in concrete containments. (author)