A SINGLE LAYER RIG FOR EXPLORING THE DYNAMICS OF AN ADVANCED GAS COOLED REACTOR GRAPHITE CORE: COMMISSIONING AND PROPOSED VALIDATION STUDIES

The consequences of the ageing of Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) need to be assessed for their continued safe and reliable operation. This includes consideration of their behaviour under external hazards of which the most significant is seismic. The numerical tools that support the seismic assessments for the AGR cores must be conservative and able to cope with a wide variety of damage types and damage levels for the graphite components. A new computational model is under development using the novel simulation code SOLFEC based on the Non-smooth Contact Dynamics method. This code would enable solid-body dynamic simulations to be carried out using explicit representation of individual bodies, providing greater detail than the existing models. The development of SOLFEC will be supported by shaking table tests carried out at the University of Bristol on a quarter scale single layer rig. This paper presents the commissioning activities carried out to demonstrate that the rig is fit for purpose in all its geometrical, mechanical and dynamic aspects. A planned schedule of work intended to provide validation data to SOLFEC is described.