Cost-effectiveness analysis of seismically isolated pool structures for the storage of nuclear spent-fuel assemblies

This study introduces a method for evaluating cost-effectiveness of seismically isolated pool structures, taking account of fluid-structure interaction effects. As a measure of cost-effectiveness, the procedure estimates minimum life-cycle cost, sum of initial construction cost and excepted damage cist over life-cycle of the structure. The expected damage cost is the function of failure probabilities, which are computed by frequency domain analysis for convenience. Input ground motions are represented by a power spectral density function compatible with site-dependent response spectrums. The interaction effects between flexible walls and contained fluid are considered in the form of the added mass matrix. The thickness of wall and the stiffness of isolator are considered two key design variables in achieving a design with minimum life-cycle cost. The numerical examples show that seismically isolated pool tanks are highly cost-effective in low-to-moderate seismic regions.