Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho National Laboratory, Advanced Test Reactor Control Room Wall

Scope/Solutions

The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) supports research and testing of materials for use in large-scale and prototype reactors. Previous analyses indicated that the eastern partition walls of the control room inside the reactor building have insufficient out-of-plane capacity to resist a design earthquake. SGH evaluated and designed upgrades for the unreinforced concrete masonry partition walls that support numerous equipment and utility lines.

For this project, SGH performed a structural evaluation and designed the upgrades for the masonry partition walls at the east side of the control room for Performance Category 4 (PC-4) compliance. Upgrades include:

  • New vertical and horizontal steel strong backs strategically located to minimize interference with existing equipment and utilities
  • One-sided and through-bolted connections to ungrouted concrete masonry walls
  • Various top and base anchorage details
  • Options for bolted and welded connections to existing structural steel that do not require reinforcement of existing components

We prepared calculations, design drawings, and specifications; and delivered a formal presentation to our client. Our work was independently reviewed and accepted.

Project Summary

Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation
Services
Structures | Advanced Analysis
Markets
Energy
Client(s)
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA)
Specialized Capabilities
Seismic Engineering | Repair & Strengthening | Nuclear

Key team members

Philip Hashimoto
Senior Principal
Michael Mudlock
Associate Principal

Additional Projects

West

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Spent Fuel Casks

The nuclear generating station transports spent fuel casks from the fuel buildings to the spent fuel storage facility on 175 ton, 8 axle rail cars and needed to understand the risk of the casks sliding off the rail cars or tipping over, particularly during an earthquake.
Explore
West

Cholla Power Plant

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) chose SGH to perform a condition assessment and develop repairs for the circulating water pipelines at the Cholla Power Plant.
Explore