Vibration measurement and simulation analysis on a reinforced concrete structure with alkali-silica reaction

This paper discusses vibration test and measurement of elastic wave velocity, and simulation analyses on the vibration test concerning the turbine generator foundation of the Ikata nuclear power station unit no. 1, Japan, where expansion produced by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) has been observed. Under the vibration test, vertical excitation test of the beams and microtremor measurement were conducted to estimate Eigen frequency/mode and examine time-dependent change of the stiffness of the foundation by comparing with the results in the previous test done in the same way. Elastic wave velocity was measured to observe the difference of material properties among places of the foundation. Simulation analyses on the vibration test were done to estimate the elastic modulus of the members where ASR is induced. We obtained the following conclusions: (1) The time-dependant change of the stiffness and ASR have very low effect on the entire structure of the unit no.1 (2) It is estimated that ASR has not developed since 1989 because the reduction of the Eigen frequencies of the foundation is small. (3) The reduction of the elastic modulus of the table-deck stands out by comparison of the elastic modulus of the unit no.1 and no.2 from the measurement of elastic wave velocity. (4) The elastic modulus ratio of the members with ASR to the members without ASR is estimated from 0.5 to 0.6 by the simulation analyses. (authors)