Large shaker experiments on piping response with alternate piping support systems

A major structural dynamic test program, known as the SHAG experiments, was conducted at the Heissdampfreactor (HDR) facility of Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Kfk), Germany during 1986. This program was sponsored by KfK/Project HDR (PHDR), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). A large coast-down shaker was installed on the refueling floor of the HDR reactor to provide excitation to the reactor building, equipment, and piping. The program involved design and testing of seven different types of piping support designs consisting of non-conventional seismic mitigation devices, ductile energy absorbers and passive limit stops, on one of the existing piping system. Testing of two of the seven support designs, sponsored by EPRI, involved energy absorbers supplied by Bechtel and the seismic stops designed by Robert L. Cloud and Associates (RLCA). Seventeen experiments were performed to measure piping response and support loads for a range of shaker force and frequency conditions. This paper presents the overall piping test objectives, description of the test facility, test matrix and conditions, support hardware designs tested by EPRI. As data evaluation is in progress, some preliminary results are discussed herein.