| Title | Testing of Seismic Isolation Bearings for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor PRISM |
| Authors | Kelly, James M.; Tajirian, F.F. |
| Publication | Proceedings of ASME-PVP Vol.147-Seismic, Shock, and Vibration Isolation, 1988 |
| Objectives | To verify the mechanical properties of the rubber compound and performance of prototype half-scale natural rubber bearings designed to mitigate horizontal earthquake loads on the PRISM reactor module. |
| Abstract | Seismic isolation can significantly mitigate earthquake loads on liquid metal reactors (LMR), thus reducing the impact of seismic loads on design. This improves plant safety margins for beyond-design basis seismic events and enhances adaptability of a standardized design for a variety of sites, with potential cost benefits. The PRISM (Power Reactor Inherently Safe Model) LMR incorporates a horizantal isolation system which consists of high damping steel laminated rubber bearings. The results of an experimental program to determine the mechanical properties of the rubber compound and the bearing performance under different loading conditions are presented. The test results demonstrate the excellent performance of the bearings and their suitability for isolating compact LMR plants. |
