Parametric Study on Containment Liner-Anchor System

The containment liner should maintain its structural integrity and thus its leak-tightness under any accidental condition. The liner is not used as a structural member to resist any mechanical loads; however, pressure, shrinkage of the concrete, and temperature changes will induce strains in the liner and the anchorage system. In this paper, a parametric study of the behavior of the liner strains and anchor forces and displacements caused by a temperature rise due to loss of coolant accident (LOCA) has been conducted. The following variations were considered in the study: (1) ½-in. (6-mm) versus ⅜-in. (10-mm) liner thickness; (2) stud anchors versus spacings; (3) vertical and horizontal spacings; and (4) ⅝-in. (16-mm) versus ¾-in. (19-mm) diam. studs.