Title: Fires During Nuclear Power Plant Construction

Author(s): M. Diaz-Llanos, V. Sanchez Velasco, and I. Cerezo Preysler

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 92

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 15-32

Keywords: acceptability; bond (concrete to reinforcement); compres-sive strength; concrete construction; evaluation; fires; fire tests; impact hammer tests; modulus of elasticity; nuclear power plants; tensile stress; tests; ultrasonic tests

DOI: 10.14359/6510

Date: 6/1/1986

Abstract:
In some cases, it is necessary to evaluate and document structures which were subjected to fires during construction. Due to the lack of official regulations on the subject, the analyses and documentation on these incidences, when reported to the regulatory authorities, implied unconventional activities, both for the utility and the A/E. The paper describes several fires affecting nuclear power plant concrete structures. They were all caused by inadvertent human actions. The presence of highly combustible auxiliary cons-truction materials contributed to their propagation. It is recommended that the cost (purchase and installation) of these auxiliary materials be evaluated against the use of alter nate (noncombustible)ones before making any decision, sufficiently in advance to avoid costly and time-consuming changes that may affect a usually tight schedule. As a result of visual inspection, followed by "in situ" and laboratory tests and engineering analyses of the affected elements, some elements had to be demolished and reconstructed while others were found to be acceptable.