Mark III confirmatory test program: one-third scale pool swell impact tests, Test Series 5805

A series of 51 blowdown tests was performed in support of the Mark III pressure suppression concept with particular emphasis on the effect of pool swell impact on structures located above the suppression pool. The integrated steam generator and drywell of the Pressure Suppression Test Facility was used to accelerate the water mass in the one-third scale suppression pool to velocities typical of Mark III containments, and the impact of this water on I-beams, pipes, and gratings was investigated. The loading mechanism was found to be high velocity pressure waves which traveled along the surface of impacted structures, with a wave velocity defined by the movement of the points of intersection between the horizontal target structures and the rising curved pool surface. The impulse associated with this loading was found to correlate as a function of pool approach velocity, target geometry, and water ligament thickness, the last variable being important only when the ligament thickness approached target dimensions. For pool surface velocities expected to occur in Mark III, the maximum measured impulses for all targets were 35 percent or less of those being used for Mark III design specifications. For targets of circular cross section, loads were one-half or less than the values for comparable flat surfaces. Both the factor of three and the pipe shape factor must be considered when evaluating the conservatism in the Mark III design specifications