[en] This report presents the latest developments of the reliability analysis method for concrete containments. In specific, the tangential shear limit state for reinforced concrete containments is described in detail. Also, the flexure limit state has been modified such that the strain of tensile reinforcement is limited. Furthermore, the variations of material strength such as concrete compressive strength and reinforcement yield strength are included in the reliability analysis by using the Latin hypercube sampling technique. Then, the reliability analysis results and fragility curves for two containments are presented

[en] The steel corrosion and concrete spalling lead to the degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) concrete shear wall. There is a correlation among the variables considering the degradation mechanism. Especially it is required to investigate the effect of correlation with time because the seismic response of degraded shear wall over time can be changed by the correlation. In this study, a RC shear wall with time-dependent material property was used as an analytical model to consider degradation. The correlation of variables was defined by considering previous research and a degradation mechanism of RC structures. A correlated case was compared with uncorrelated case to investigate the effect of correlation on seismic capacity with time

[en] This study has been made to examine whether the lap splices of reinforcing bars of large diameters (D38 and D51) could be applied or not to the wall slab in which the tensile stress is generated due to seismic forces. The experiments were executed by pulling the reinforcing bars of the wall shape test specimens in both directions. The parameters of the test specimens are the diameter of reinforcing bars, lap length, thickness of cover concrete, spacing of reinforcing bars, presence or non-presence of clear distance between lapped bars, the location of lap splice in the cross section and so forth. From the results it may be concluded that the lap splice with a lap length of 40d (d: diameter of reinforcing bar), a cover thickness of 1.5d and spacing of reinforcing bars of 200 mm is applicable to D38 bars in tensile stress field. The lap splices may be arranged at a same level, and may be applicable to bars with a larger diameter (D51). (orig./HP)

[en] Introduced to construction about 40 years ago, GRC has come of age. It is now widely used all over the world and in quantities very likely greater than most of the other types of fibre reinforced concrete, although it remains less known. A brief history of GRC is followed by review of the basic make-up of this complex composite. Methods of production are identified, properties reviewed and modes of fracture which are unique to GRC are explained. Benefits which are already available and exploited by its users are summarised and the wide spectrum of current applications of GRC is outlined. (paper)

[en] Lap splice is considered the best method of jointing reinforcing deformed steel bars (rebars) in reinforced concrete members. Large shear walls are used in nuclear power plants. The purpose is to seize the influencing parameters on the structural characteristics of lap splice in shear wall. Authors have developed a test method by which lap spliced specimens at shear stress zones are subjected to tensile force at both ends. 19 specimens were tested and arranged for testing 7 parameters. (orig./HP)

[en] A novel method of testing reinforced concrete beams under impact using a drop tower is described. The method consists of configuring the support conditions and instrumenting both the loading end of the hammer and support points in such a way that a proper dynamic analysis of the impact event can be performed and rational data can be derived.

[en] Mining with backfill has been the subject of several international meetings in recent years and a considerable research effort is being applied to improve both mining economics and ore recovery by using backfill for ground support. Classified mill tailings sands are the most commonly used backfill material but these fine sands must be stabilized before full ore pillar recovery can be achieved. Normal portland cement is generally used for stabilization but the high cost of cement prohibits high cement usage. This paper considers the use of reinforcements in cemented fill to reduce the cement usage. It is concluded that strong cemented layers at typical spacings of about 3 meters in a low cement content bulk fill can reinforce the fill and reduce the overall cement usage. Fibre reinforcements introduced into strong layers or into bulk fills are also known to be effective in reducing cement usage. Some development work is needed to produce the ideal type of anchored fibre in order to realize economic gains from fibre-reinforced fills

[en] The internal structures protect the core of the nuclear device and provide for the 'support' of the equipment in normal use and in accidental situations. It is necessary to guard against the effects of the fracturing of a weld in one of the pipes of the primary system carrying very high temperature steam (300 deg C) at very high pressure (16 MPa) at a time when an earthquake occurs. A study is made of the use of high yield strength steel reinforcements for this application, first within the context of the regulations, then the buckling, shearing strain and sag are calculated

[en] The methodology used to perform an overall plant life extension (PLEX) evaluation is summarized. The containment structure, which houses the reactor vessel and associated NSSS equipment, is either a reinforced or a prestressed concrete structure or is a steel pressure vessel surrounded by a reinforced concrete shielding structure. In all cases the containment is supported by a reinforced concrete basemat. Other structures such as reactor, auxiliary and turbine buildings, intake and discharge structure, diesel and radwaste buildings are all reinforced concrete structures, although the turbine building and reactor building may have a steel superstructure. (orig./HP)

[en] By using a three-dimensional reinforcing fabric rather than short fibres, the Kajima Corporation of Japan has developed a type of concrete which could eventually replace steel bars in construction work. However, since such structural use is not yet permitted, Kajima has found an application for the material in providing permanent forms for reactor buildings, where they offer shorter construction times. (author)