Analysis of high temperature limits on concrete nuclear structures

To deal with the uncertainties involved in determination of safe temperature limits for concrete nuclear structures and obtain a qualitative measure of safety margins, a sensitivity analysis approach is introduced. Using this approach, bounds of structural performance limits are established and temperature level giving adequate margin of safety is determined. For irradiated fuel storage bays with single or double walled construction, envelope curves of temperature limits are drawn from which operating and safety limit temperatures are determined. To obtain more definitive information on concrete cracking and structural behaviour under thermal loads an experimental program has been initiated. The progress of this test program is reported