• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2003

In this paper, a nonlinear structural analysis for the composite structure composed of the spent nuclear fuel disposal canister and the 50㎝ thick bentonite buffer is carried out to predict the collapse of the canister while the horizontal symmetric sudden rock movement of 10㎝ is applied on the composite structure. This sudden rock movement is anticipated by the earthquake etc. at a deep underground. Elastoplastic material model is adopted. Drucket-Prager yield criterion is used for the material yield prediction of the bentonite buffer and von-Mises yield criterion is used for the material yield prediction of the canister(cast iron, copper). Analysis results show that even though very large deformations occur beyond the yield point in the bentonite buffet, the canister structure still endures elastic small strains and stresses below the yield strength. Hence, the 50㎝ thick bentonite buffet can protect the canister safely against the 10㎝ sudden rock movement by earthquake etc.. Analysis results also show that bending deformations occur in the canister structure due to the shear deformation of the bentonite buffer.