Examination of methods of analysing structural dynamics for their applicability in licensing procedures

It was common practice up to now to provide design-based protection against relatively rare load conditions (external impacts/internal impacts), and this approach frequently made the design solutions for mechanical equipment look rather oversized. Many experiences with real seismic events, probabilistic risk analyses, experimental studies, and the Seismic Safety Margins Research Program (SSMRP) carried out in the U.S.A. have proven this. The report in hand presents assessments and evaluations concerning the following topics: Trends in the design tensile load safety of mechanical plant components, component behaviour under seismic loads, results of the SSMRP, application of inelastic spectra, damping design concept for pipework and failures of impact absorbing elements in pipework. Proposals are presented for a modified approach and re-definition of requirements. (orig./HP)