Preliminary evaluation of an aircraft impact on a surface RWs disposal facility

The aim of this study is to evaluate the structural effects (global response) induced by the impact of a civilian airplane into a near surface RWs repository, considered as a robust target (steel and reinforced concrete built structures). According to the international safety and design guidelines and to the stress tests requirements for the security track, a military or civil aircraft impact (considered as a 'beyond design basis' event) into a nuclear facility like the disposal facility of EI Cabril has been considered. To perform reliable analysis of such a large-scale structure and determine the structural effects of the propagation of this types of impulsive loads (response of containment structure), a realistic but still feasible numerical model with suitable materials characteristics were used by means of which relevant physical phenomena are retlected. The dynamic/ impulsive loads as well as the thermal load, due to the fuel burning, have been preliminary evaluated in order to determine the bearing capability of the considered repository to withstand safely to all the effects (primary and secondary ones) of the aircraft crash. The obtained results were analysed to check the disposal facility safety margins.