Performance-goal based (risk informed) approach for establishing the SSE site specific response spectrum for future nuclear power plants

This paper provides the technical basis for the performance-goal based approach presented in the American Society of Civil Engineering Standard ASCE/SEI 43-05 for establishing the safe shutdown earthquake (SSE) site specific design response spectrum (SSRS) for future nuclear power plants. This approach has been adopted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in their Regulatory Guide 1.208. This approach has now been followed at more than 20 sites. In addition to more thoroughly documenting the basis for the ASCE 43-05 performance-goal based approach, the paper also summarizes the minimum seismic core damage frequency (SCDF) achieved at 28 Central and Eastern U.S. sites when the SSRS is defined by this approach coupled with other NRC requirements. The minimum SCDF lies in the range of less than 6×10−6/yr to 0.6×10−6/yr with a median ratio of about 3×10−6/yr.