Further development of the load coefficient method, lcm, for rational seismic design of nuclear facilities

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study conducted to compare the results of the Load Coefficient Method, LCM, proposed for seismic load determination, to modal analysis and the equivalent static load methods as defined in Section 3.7.2 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Standard Review Plan. The comparison is conducted using a number of nuclear power plant piping systems which used response spectra modal analysis input in their original design.The real piping systems studied are considered to be representative of ASME Section III nuclear Class 2 and 3 piping systems required to be designed to resist currently defined seismic loadings. Section 2 of this paper provides numerical comparisons of the application of LCM, Response Spectrum and Equivalent Static Load Methods.