Analytical correlation and interpretation of full scale containment specimen tests

The work presented in this paper is part of an EPRI-sponsored research program to develop experimentally verified methodology for predicting failure modes and leakage characteristics of concrete containments. This paper deals specifically with recent results of the analytical correlation and interpretation of full scale containment specimen tests. The tests under consideration are a wall/skirt-basemat specimen of a typical prestressed concrete containment, a specimen with a flawed liner to study liner crack growth, and a specimen with a typical steampipe penetration. Computational models of specimens are described, and pre-test and post-test analysis results are presented. The importance of local effects is discussed, and the role of specimen tests and analysis in failure prediction of containment structures is summarized. (orig.)