Analysis of Reactor’s Containment Building Form Effect Against an Aircraft Crash

Safety and secutity of reactor containment building and its resistance against external forces is particularly important. Paying attention to this subject has been increased due to the incident plane hit the twin towers on September 11, 2001. One of the factors in the vulnerability of a building against the external collision is its geometry. The purpose of this study is to select the optimal geometry of a concrete containment building with the lowest vulnerability against an aircraft crash. Thus, two different geometric forms, one with cubic body and a flat roof and the other with a cylindrical body and domed roof were modeled numerically. Numerical modeling was performed using ABAQUS 6.12-1 software. Considering the impact of building form and in order to reduce the solution time and considering physical symplicity, homogeneous concrete without reinforced bars were chosen. Strike of Phantom F4 to the roof and body of the containment building was simulated at various angles and responses were compared in the whole structure and in the contact location. Results of this study indicate that the cylindrical form is less vurnable in comparison with cubic form exept in the intersection of wall and dome.