SMiRT28 Special Sessions
Tutorial on Nonlinear Earthquake Soil Structure Interaction Analysis for Nuclear Installations
This tutorial will provide engineers with essential knowledge and practical skills for performing nonlinear soil-structure interaction (SSI) analysis, with a focus on applications for nuclear installations. It will cover advanced techniques for modeling soil, interfaces, and structures, emphasizing their behavior under service and hazard loads. Participants will learn key topics such as finite element model construction, seismic motion development, material model calibration, and energy dissipation analysis. Additionally, the tutorial will address quality assurance practices, including verification and validation procedures for nonlinear SSI simulations. The sessions build on successful tutorials from SMiRT-26 (Potsdam) and SMiRT-27 (Yokohama) and will consist of two one-hour sessions.
Boris Jeremić
University of California at Davis
Co-Chair
Enhancement of External Events PRA Methodology and its Application to Risk Assessment of Nuclear Power Plants in Japan
This session will share the latest developments of seismic and tsunami probabilistic risk assessments from utilities in Japan. There will be discussion of the latest standards and technical guidelines on external event PRAs in Japan, and how external event PRAs might be improved.
Tatsuya Itoi
University of Tokyo
Co-Chair
Kenji Oikawa
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Overview of Tsunami PRA of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Based on the SSHAC Level 3 Methodology
Speaker
Daigo Hiratsuka
Kyushu Electric Power Company, Overview of Seismic PRA and Tsunami PRA for Safety Improvement Assessment on Sendai Nuclear Power Station
Speaker
Masato Nakajima
Central Research Industry of Electric Power Industry, Overview of NRRC Activities on Seismic and Tsunami PRA
Speaker
Takeshi Numata
Kansai Electric Power Company, Overview of External Events PRA of Kansai's Nuclear Power Plants
Speaker
Motivation and Challenges with Risk-Informed, Performance-Based (RIPB) Design
This session will focus on the RIPB seismic design approaches in actual applications and discuss insights and challenges that have been encountered. The panel will consist of representatives from a regulatory organization, engineering and design organization, vendor, and a PRA practitioner. After a brief overview and short presentations from representatives, most of the session will be devoted to discussion among the panelists and audience, particularly focusing on implementation challenges. Some of the challenges include conducting PRAs for an evolving design, making integrated risk-informed decisions, and need for a multi-disciplinary design team.
John Richards
Electric Power Research Institute
Co-Chair
Farhang Ostadan
Bechtel Corporation, RIPB Approach: Opportunities and Challenges
Speaker
Nilesh Chokshi
Independent Consultant, Considerations Involved in Use of SPRA/Risk Evaluations in the RIPB Seismic Design
Speaker
Mohamed Talaat
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, RIPB Seismic Design Workflow: Lessons Learned from Implementing LMP Criteria
Speaker
Toshiaki Sakai
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Development of RI-PB Seismic Design Method Considering Balancing Risk Profiles and Key Issues for Implementation
Speaker
SMATCH (Spectral matching for seismic base-isolated nuclear power plant shaken by a real earthquake) OECD/NEA Benchmark – Overview and Preliminary Results and Conclusions: Part I
On November 11, 2019, at 10h52 am (UTC), a 4.9 magnitude (Mw) shallow earthquake occurred at approximately 15 km from the French Cruas NPP. In accordance with operational procedures, the in-structure response was recorded and post-earthquake walkdowns were performed to collect in situ data on various SSCs. Those novel and valuable data have motivated EDF and IRSN (now ASNR), under the umbrella of the OECD/NEA, to organize the SMATCH international benchmark (2023 – 2025) to assess the efficiency of engineering practices related to (1) characterizing the seismic ground motion at the Cruas site and (2) assessing the seismic response of the base-isolated Cruas nuclear power plant.
Thomas Heitz
Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR)
Co-Chair
Alain Alsokhon
Électricité de France
Co-Chair
Constantinos Kanellopoulos
SMATCH Benchmark: Seismic Response Analysis of the Base-isolated Cruas NPP subjected to Le-Teil Earthquake using the Real-ESSI Software
Speaker
Eleni Eleftheriou
SMATCH Benchmark: Seismic Response Analysis of the Base-isolated Cruas NPP Subjected to the Le-Teil Earthquake using the ANSYS APDL Software
Speaker
Mao Chen
Simulation of the Base-Isolated Cruas Nuclear Power Plant in the Mw4.9 Le-Teil Earthquake
Speaker
Matthias Stadler
SMATCH Benchmark: Seismic Response Analyses of the Base-isolated Cruas NPP subjected to the Le-Teil Earthquake using the SOFiSTiK Software
Speaker
Thomas Heitz
SMATCH OECD/NEA benchmark – synthesis of phase III on the structural response of a base isolated nuclear power plant to a shallow earthquake
Speaker
SMATCH (Spectral matching for seismic base-isolated nuclear power plant shaken by a real earthquake) OECD/NEA Benchmark – Overview and Preliminary Results and Conclusions: Part II
On November 11, 2019, at 10h52 am (UTC), a 4.9 magnitude (Mw) shallow earthquake occurred at approximately 15 km from the French Cruas NPP. In accordance with operational procedures, the in-structure response was recorded and post-earthquake walkdowns were performed to collect in situ data on various SSCs. Those novel and valuable data have motivated EDF and IRSN (now ASNR), under the umbrella of the OECD/NEA, to organize the SMATCH international benchmark (2023 – 2025) to assess the efficiency of engineering practices related to (1) characterizing the seismic ground motion at the Cruas site and (2) assessing the seismic response of the base-isolated Cruas nuclear power plant.
Thomas Heitz
Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR)
Co-Chair
Alain Alsokhon
Électricité de France
Co-Chair
Ludwig Bahr
First assessments of the seismic response of the Cruas base isolated NPP (SMATCH benchmark)
Speaker
Alexander Kultsep
Blind Assessment of Structural Dynamic Response of Cruas Base Isolated NPP using RIZZO Int. Hybrid Simulation Approach of Ground Motion for the November 11, Le Teil, France Earthquake
Speaker
Jae-Wook Jung
Benchmark Research for Seismic Response Estimation of Base-isolated Cruas NPP
Speaker
Boris Jeremic
Cruas NPP Analysis for SMATCH Benchmark by the US-NRC, LBNL and UCDavis Team
Speaker
Nuclear Codes and Standards Harmonization
This session will include presentations and a panel discussion from practitioners and researchers. An initial description of high-level codes and standards harmonization efforts across standards development organizations and jurisdictions will be shared, followed by several presentations detailing more specific harmonization efforts and regulatory perspectives on harmonization. The session will conclude with a panel discussion including all presenters
Larisa Logan
CSA Group, Canada
Co-Chair
Christopher Jones
Kansas State University, USA
Co-Chair
Brian McDonald
Exponent, Seismic Codes
Speaker
Richard Cook
Canadian Power Utility Services Ltd., Technology Inclusive Pressure Boundary Code
Speaker
Adeola Adediran
Bechtel, Blast Provision Harmonization
Speaker
Kate Hyam
ASME, ASME/JSME Codes Coordination
Speaker
Madhumita (Mita) Sircar
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Regulatory Perspectives on Codes and Standards Harmonization
Speaker
Hazem Mazhar
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canadian Regulatory Perspectives on Codes and Standards Harmonization
Speaker
Nuclear Construction and Project Execution
This theme of this session will be “constructing nuclear projects on schedule and under budget.” Construction solutions should come from a full spectrum of activity: from the project execution model to supplier chain management; from lessons learned of past nuclear projects to the new technology applications; from owner’s perspective in construction management to experience on the ‘first of its kind’ nuclear project; etc.
James Zhu
Fluor Nuclear
Co-Chair
Kevin Han
North Carolina State University
Co-Chair
Ryan Howard
Ontario Power Generation, Darlington Small Modular Reactor Project & the Integrated Project Delivery Model
Speaker
Gary Cannell
Fluor Nuclear, SOTA Welding Technology for Advanced Nuclear Construction
Speaker
Abhinav Gupta
Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality Driven Digital Engineering for High Precision Construction
Speaker
Career Insights Panel for Students and Young Professionals
This panel is designed specifically for students and young professionals. This informal yet engaging session will feature seasoned industry experts sharing their experiences, career journeys, and advice on navigating professional growth. Don’t miss this unique chance to ask questions and gain insights from those who have been in your shoes, about exploring career options, navigating important decisions, or just curious about different industry paths. The session will be interactive, allowing for open discussions in a relaxed setting, with the opportunity to gain career wisdom and inspiration from established professionals!
Harleen Sandhu
Idaho National Laboratory
Co-Chair
Keenan Grassby
Kinectrics
Co-Chair
Kevin Han
North Carolina State University
Speaker
Tsuyoshi Takada
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Speaker
Bu-Seog Ju
Kyung Hee University
Speaker
Jeffrey Baschuk
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Speaker
Nilesh Chokshi
Consultant
Speaker
Emmanuel Viallet
Électricité de France
Speaker
Julia Tcherner
AtkinsRéalis
Speaker
Madhumita Sircar
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Speaker
Hamid Sadegh-Azar
University of Kaiserslautern
Speaker
The Current Status of International Standards and Research Issues Related to Aircraft Crashes on Nuclear Facilities
This session will consist of the following two parts: 1) An overview of the regulatory systems and responses on aircraft impacts in each country and the issues that have arisen; 2) An introduction to the latest research topics and experimental conditions that have emerged from these issues. In part 1, we will discuss the approach of the IAEA guidance document and the regulations of each country that have been established based on it, as well as regulatory issues and countermeasures. In part 2, we will discuss the current status of research and research issues.
Akemi Nishida
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Co-Chair
Tatsuhiro Yamazaki
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Co-Chair
Peter Rangelow
Basler & Hofmann, Introduction of the IAEA safety standard, "Hazards Associated with Human Induced External Events in Site Evaluation for Nuclear Installations
Speaker
George Stoyanov
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Overview of Canadian regulatory guidelines for aircraft impacts to nuclear facilities and the current state of the research
Speaker
Akemi Nishida
JAEA, Overview of Japanese regulatory guidelines for aircraft impacts to nuclear facilities
Speaker
Andreas Fäcke
SMP Engineers, Current status and issues of research related to the impact, explosion and fire phenomena caused by aircraft crash on nuclear facilities
Speaker
Takaaki Tsukada
Shimizu Corporation, Current research related to impact problems caused by aircraft crash on nuclear facilities
Speaker
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into PSA: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Path to Responsible Implementation
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform industries by enabling the analysis of large volumes of data to identify patterns and trends. In nuclear power probabilistic safety assessment (PSA), the potential applications of AI are varied and diverse. Possible uses include online equipment monitoring, trend analytics, the development of computationally efficient surrogate prediction models, extracting insights from text-based data, and automating creation of logic models based on system schematics. Despite these promising capabilities, challenges remain that are particularly salient in the context of nuclear power PSAs, which require the ability to robustly calculate risks associated with infrequent events. This panel session will discuss the opportunities and limitations of leveraging AI in PSA, focusing on challenges associated with ensuring models are interpretable, validated, unbiased, and implemented consistent with industry and regulatory quality expectations.
Michelle (Shelby) Bensi
University of Maryland
Co-Chair
Minkyu Kim
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
Co-Chair
Tatsuya Itoi
University of Tokyo
Speaker
Young Joo Lee
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Speaker
Taehyun Kwon
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
Speaker
Harleen Sandhu
Idaho National Laboratory
Speaker
Abdollah Shafieezadeh
Ohio State University
Speaker
Workforce Needs and Challenges – Supporting the Evolving Nuclear Industry
As the role of nuclear energy evolves in response to global climate and energy security challenges, the industry is undergoing significant transformation. Investments in small modular reactors and microreactors offer opportunities to reduce costs and increase operational flexibility. These changes highlight the growing need for a skilled workforce capable of supporting both existing and emerging nuclear technologies across key areas such as operations, regulations, research, and the fuel cycle. This panel will feature representatives discussing workforce needs to support the continued growth and transformation of the nuclear industry.
Michelle (Shelby) Bensi
University of Maryland
Co-Chair
Andrea Kock
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Speaker
Jennifer Uhle
Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Speaker
Daman Panesar
University of Toronto
Speaker
Abinav Gupta
NC State and Representative from the SMiRT Early Career committee
Speaker
Emmanuel Viallet
Électricité de France (EDF)
Speaker
Shibata Award Finalist Presentations
This session will feature the six finalists for the Shibata early career award. Each finalist will present their paper, with the awards to be announced at the conference banquet on Thursday, 14 August.
Cédric Sénac
Validation of a Beremin model industrial variation for the fracture mechanics assessment of pressure vessel steel
Speaker
Jan Attinger
Effect of Local Soil Plasticity on the Seismic Response of Nuclear Structures in SSI Analysis using the Domain Reduction Method
Speaker
Marouane Lahmidi
Experiment of ductile fracture propagation due to thermal shock using the Gfr criterion
Speaker
Jingoo Lee
Design of 1D CNN Kernels for Predicting Seismic Response of Nuclear Power Plants
Speaker
Mrinal Jyoti Mahanta
Enhancing Computational Efficiency of Bayesian Inference by Identifying the Intensity Measure Range to Update Seismic Fragility Curves
Speaker
Taro Yaoyama
Bayesian Finite Element Model Updating of Reinforced Concrete Building Structures Under Seismic Excitation, Part 2: Machine Learning-Aided Approach
Speaker
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