Reaffirmed: 6/90, 6/95, 6/00

Safety Standards
of the
Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA)

KTA 3401.2 (6/85)

Steel Containment Vessels

Part 2: Analysis and Design
(Reaktorsicherheitsbehälter aus Stahl;
Teil 2: Auslegung, Konstruktion und Berechnung)

If there is any doubt regarding the information contained in this translation, the German wording shall apply.

Editor:

KTA-Geschaeftsstelle c/o Bundesamt fuer Strahlenschutz (BfS)

Willy-Brandt-Strasse 5 · 38226 Salzgitter · Germany
Telephone +49-1888/333-(0) 1621 · Telefax +49-1888/333-1625
 KTA SAFETY STANDARD
Steel Containment Vessels
June 1985 KTA 3401.2
Part 2: Analysis and Design

CONTENTS

Basic Principles .......................................................................................................................................................1

1 Scope .......................................................................................................................................................1
2 General Principles ............................................................................................................................................1
3 Loading Condition, Loads and Service Limit Levels .........................................................................................1
3.1 General .......................................................................................................................................................1
3.2 Loading Conditions (Plant Conditions) .............................................................................................................1
3.3 Loads .......................................................................................................................................................2
3.4 Service Limit Levels .........................................................................................................................................2
3.5 Correlation of Loading Conditions, Loads and Service Limit Levels
with the Required Stress and Stability Analyses...............................................................................................2
4 Construction .....................................................................................................................................................2
4.1 General .......................................................................................................................................................2
4.2 Favorable Design Regarding Stress.................................................................................................................2
4.3 Favorable Design Regarding Materials, Fabrication and Testing .....................................................................2
4.4 Favorable Design Regarding Maintenance.......................................................................................................4
4.5 Design Details ..................................................................................................................................................4
5 Stress and Stability Analysis ............................................................................................................................5
5.1 General .......................................................................................................................................................5
5.2 Isotropic Plate and Shell Structures..................................................................................................................5
5.3 Anisotropic Plate and Shell Structures and Frame Structures ..........................................................................7
5.4 Bolt Joints .......................................................................................................................................................7
5.5 Fatigue Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................8
5.6 Shape Deviations .............................................................................................................................................9
Appendix A Regulations Referred to in this Safety Standard ...........................................................................10

PLEASE NOTE: Only the original German version of this safety standard represents the joint resolution of the
50-member Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (Kerntechnischer Ausschuss, KTA). The German version was
made public in Bundesanzeiger No. 194a on October 14, 2000. Copies may be ordered through the Carl Heymanns
Verlag KG, Luxemburger Str. 449, 50939 Koeln (Telefax +49-221-94373-603).
All questions regarding this English translation should please be directed to:
KTA-Geschaeftsstelle c/o BfS, Willy-Brandt-Strasse 5, 38226 Salzgitter, Germany
Comments by the editor:

Taking into account the meaning and usage of auxiliary verbs in the German language, in this translation the fol-
lowing agreements are effective:

shall indicates a mandatory requirement,

shall basically is used in the case of mandatory requirements to which specific exceptions (and only
those!) are permitted. It is a requirement of the KTA that these exceptions - other than
those in the case of shall normally - are specified in the text of the safety standard,
shall normally indicates a requirement to which exceptions are allowed. However, the exceptions used,
shall be substantiated during the licensing procedure,
should indicates a recommendation or an example of good practice,
may indicates an acceptable or permissible method within the scope of this safety standard.

Basic Principles
(1) The safety standards of the Nuclear Safety Standards
Commission (KTA) have the task of specifying safety related
requirements which shall be met with regard to precautions to
be taken in accordance with the state of science and technol-
ogy against the damages arising from the construction and
operation of the facility (Sec. 7 para. 2 No. 3 Atomic Energy
Act); this is especially to attain the protective goals specified in
the Atomic Energy Act and the Radiological Protection Ordi-
nance and specified in further detail in the Safety Criteria for
Nuclear Power Plants and the Guidelines for the Assessment
of the Design of PWR Nuclear Power Plants against Incidents
persuant to Sec. 28 para. 3 of the Radiological Protection
Ordinance.
(2) The task of the steel containment vessel (hereinafter
referred to as containment vessel) is to resist the pressure and
temperature loads which can occur during plant incidents
connected with the release of radioactive materials inside the
containment vessel, in particular in conjunction with the leak-
age cross-sections of the primary coolant system to be as-
sumed; thus, no unallowed release of radioactive materials to
the environment becomes possible. For this reason, the con-
tainment vessel and all penetrations and cooling systems, as
far as their function is required for controlling the conse-
quences of the incident, shall be designed such that, under
consideration of the allowed leakage rate, they resist the dy-
namic, static and thermal loads occurring in conjunction with
the above mentioned incidents and the consequential failures.
During normal operation, the containment vessel, furthermore,
has the task of conducting the air flow.
(3) In the case of stationary light-water reactors, the con-
tainment vessel is designed as a technically airtight steel
sphere into which the pipe and cable penetrations as well as
personnel and material locks are inserted. In order to comply
with the above mentioned task, it is necessary to set up stan-
dards for technical and, organizational measures, e.g.,
- choice and use of materials of high fracture toughness and
good workability,
- design and construction in consideration of a well-suited
stress flow,
- choice of fabrication and testing procedures and docu-
mentation of testing steps and results,
- unambiguous instructions regarding the activities during
manufacture and processing of the materials.
(4) These measures are dealt with in four safety standard
parts.
The present part deals with the design and analysis of the
containment vessel.
1 Scope
This safety standard applies to the design and analysis of
steel containment vessels of stationary nuclear power plants
with light-water reactors (hereinafter referred to in short as
containment vessels), including the nozzles integrally con-
nected to the containment vessel and the pressure retaining
parts of the locks.
2 General Principles
(1) Unless otherwise stipulated below, the design and analy-
sis of a containment vessel shall be carried out in accordance
with the principles of mechanical engineering and under con-
sideration of the generally accepted standards of civil engi-
neering.
KTA 3401.2 Page 1
(2) Deviations from the requirements of this safety standard
are allowed only in those exceptions where these deviations
are founded on corresponding analyses or experiments where
the validity of the exception is recognized by the organization
responsible for the initial appraisal.
3 Loading Condition, Loads and Service Limit Levels
3.1 General
(1) Loading conditions shall be classified for the nuclear
power plant in accordance with Section 3.2.
(2) Loading conditions relevant to the containment vessel
shall be correlated to the service limit levels in accordance
with Section 3.4.
3.2 Loading Conditions (Plant Conditions)
3.2.1 General
(1) The term loading condition (plant condition) shall be
understood to refer to events affecting the whole of the nu-
clear power plant. In accordance with safety aspects and
under consideration of the probability of their occurrence, they
shall be classified as follows:
a) design loading conditions (DF),
b) erection loading conditions (MF),
c) loading conditions from specified normal operation
- normal operation loading conditions (NB),
- abnormal operation loading conditions (AB),
- testing loading conditions (PF),
d) incident loading conditions (ST).
(2) From these loading conditions, those decisive for loads
in the specification shall be selected, specifically, for the con-
tainment vessel and shall be correlated to the service limit
levels in accordance with Section 3.4.
3.2.2 Design Loading Conditions (DF)
(1) Design loading conditions are such on which the first
dimensioning of wall thicknesses for components of the con-
tainment vessel is based. Decisive for loads in the specifica-
tion are the internal and the external pressure.
(2) In the case of loads from internal pressure, the design
temperature shall be considered as occurring coincidental with
the design pressure.
3.2.3 Erection, Loading Conditions (MF)
All loads resulting from the site, from construction and erection
procedures shall be considered as the erection loading condi-
tion of a specific condition of erection. Transportation and
repair procedures shall, as necessary, be demonstrated as
being allowable.
3.2.4 Loading Conditions from specified Normal Operation
(1) Normal Operation Condition (NB)
Normal operation conditions are operating procedures for
which the nuclear power plant is specified and which it is able
to perform under assumption of functioning condition (unper-
turbed condition) of the plant components and systems. All
related loads shall be considered.
(2) Abnormal Operation Conditions (AB)
Abnormal operation conditions are operating procedures oc-
curring upon malfunction of pant components and systems
(perturbed condition) as far as continued operation is not pre-
KTA 3401.2 Page 2
cluded on account of safety related reasons. All related loads
shall be considered.
(3) Test Loading Conditions (PF)
Test loading conditions are the pressure test, the leakage rate
test and the inservice inspections.
Note
The pressure level of the pressure test is specified in Sec. 10.2.2
KTA 3401.3, the temperature in Sec. 10.2.3. The loading shall be
based on these specified values.
3.2.5 Incident Loading Conditions (ST)
All loads related to incidents shall be considered. Incidents are
procedural events for which the nuclear power plant is de-
signed, upon whose occurrence, however, operation of the
plant may not be continued for safety related reasons.
3.3 Loads
(1) All effects that cause a stress condition in the contain-
ment vessel shall be considered as loads.
(2) When determining the loads forces and moments due to
constraint on account of restriction of deformations (due to,
e.g., support structures, attachments and internals, pipe
penetration assemblies) shall be considered.
(3) For those loading conditions to be included in the fatigue
analysis, the specified number of stress cycles shall bet con-
sidered.
(4) For each loading condition it shall be analyzed whether or
not any of the following loads or other additional loads result.
a) Permanent Loads
Considered shall be the dead weight of the containment
vessel, the dead weight of the components integrally con-
nected with it, and other permanently acting loads.
b) Pressures
Considered shall be pressures with their local and tempo-
ral distribution in accordance with loading conditions in-
cluding local influences (due to, e.g., pipe rupture close to
the wall).
c) Temperatures
Considered shall be the local and temporal distribution of
temperatures of the individual loading conditions including
locally restricted temperature fields (e.g., in the vicinity of
pipe penetrations or due to pipe rupture close to the wall)
as well as temperature gradients in the containment vessel
cross-section. The influence of thermal insulation shall be
taken into account.
d) Static and Dynamic Loads
from attachments and internals as well as pipes and filling
loads.
e) Live Loads
f) Wind Loads
g) Snow Loads
h) Other Dynamic Loads (e.g., from external events).
3.4 Service Limit Levels
(1) The loading conditions shall be correlated to the service
limit levels 0, 1, 2 or 3 whose allowable stresses are specified
in Section 5.
(2) The design loading conditions shall be correlated to
level 0 service limit.
(3) The level 1 service limit shall be correlated to those
loading conditions of erection, normal operation and
loss-of-coolant incidents where the corresponding loads, in
accordance with Section 3.3, result from permanent loads a,
from the pressures b and temperatures c specified for loading
conditions of normal operation and loss-of-coolant incidents,
from the static and dynamic loads d related to a, b and c, and
from live loads e and snow loads g.
(4) The level 2 service limit shall be correlated to all remain-
ing loading conditions of erection, of specified normal opera-
tion and of those incidents where other than the aforemen-
tioned loads occur, (e.g., wind loads f or other dynamic loads
h in accordance with Section 3.3). The test loading condition
shall be correlated to level 2 service limit.
(5) The level 3 service limit shall be correlated to other inci-
dent loading conditions.
(6) In the case of loading. conditions due to airplane crash
and to pressure waves from a chemical explosion, the stress
and stability analysis may be limited to unperturbed regions
and to the support structure.
3.5 Correlation of Loading Conditions, Loads and Service
Limit Levels with the Required Stress and Stability
Analyses
All loading conditions and corresponding loads shall be listed
in a specification which, in addition to grouping the loading
conditions in accordance with service limit levels, shall also
specify which stress and stability analyses shall be carried out.
Table 3.5-1 shows this correlation in the case of a contain-
ment vessel for a pressurized water reactor (PWR).
4 Construction
4.1 General
(1) In the construction of the containment vessel, including
the support structures, cutouts, cutout reinforcements, locks,
closures, equipment hatches and the attachments, the re-
quirements of KTA 3401.1 “Materials” and KTA 3401.3
“Manufacturing” shall be considered in addition to the following
requirements.
(2) The wallthickness and shape shall be chosen such that
for all loading conditions the individual determining stress
limits in accordance with Section 5 are adhered to.
4.2 Favorable Design Regarding Stress
(1) Regions characterized by change of shape and by a
changing point of load application shall be designed such that,
under consideration of all loading conditions, the resulting
local stress intensities are kept small.
(2) Cutouts and weld-attachments should have sufficient
distance from the weld seams (longitudinal and circumferential
seams) of the containment vessel shell.
4.3 Favorable Design Regarding Materials, Fabrication and
Testing
(1) The location of weld seams and the spatial arrangement
of the components of the containment vessel shall be speci-
fied such that accessibility is given for the primary and recur-
rent non-destructive examination in accordance with the re-
quirements of KTA 3401.3 and KTA 3401.4. In addition, the
design requirements regarding ultrasonic testing in accor-
dance with KTA 3401.3 shall, be considered. Simplifications
with regard td type and extent of testing and regarding the
valuation of the non-destructive examinations are allowed in
the case of weld seams where the nominal operating stress in
the region of the weld seam is smaller than or equal to
 KTA 3401.2 Page 3

50 N/mm² and where this nominal operating stress is the es- (2) If, due to the structural design of the nuclear power plant,
sential part of the primary stress. The nominal operating stress the accessibility for the post-pressure-test examinations is
is under stood to be the primary membrane stress of the restricted (e.g., in the vicinity of support structures, due to the
loading conditions correlated to the level 1 service limit. liner or the concrete structures for debris protection), this shall
be cleared already in the planning stage with the authorized
experts under Sec. 20 Atomic Energy Act and under Civil Law.

Loads in accordance with Section 3.3 Stress Analyses

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

tion at foundation level

dynamic loads, excita-
underpressure or ex-
overall internal pres-

external loading and

ternal overpressure
service limit levels

loading conditions

local pressure in-

loading moments

stability analyses
Pl + Pb +Q + F or
Pl or Pm + Pb or

Pm + Pb + Q + F
Pm + Pb +Q or
1)
dead weight

temperature

snow loads

Pl + Pb + Q
wind loads
live loads
crease

Pl + Pb
sure

Pm
2)
0 DF 1 x x x x
2)
0 DF 2 x x x x x
1 MF 1 x x x x x x x
NB x x x x x x x x x
ST 1 x x x x x x x x
MF 2 x x x x x x x x
DP 1 x x x x x x
2 DP 2 x x x x x x
DP 3 x x x x x
3)
ST 2 x x x x x x x x
3) 3)
ST 3 x x x x x x x x x x
ST 4 x x x x x x
3 ST 5 x x x x x x x
ST 6 x x x x x x x
1)
The corresponding temperatures are generally the determining factor with regard to the allowable stresses. In case
of the loading conditions checked off in this column, thermal Stresses shall, additionally, be considered.
2)
Instead of a Primary stress analysis, simplified design standards are allowed (e.g., design in accordance with
AD-Standards).
3)
In substantiated cases the secondary stress analysis and fatigue analysis need not be performed.
DF1: design loading condition with design basis overpressure
DF2: design loading condition with design basis underpressure
MF1: erection loading condition with continuous and intermittent loads
MF2: erection loading condition with continuous and intermittent loads plus wind loads
NB : normal operation
DP1: Pressure test with overpressure
DP2:. Pressure test with underpressure
DP3: recurrent leakage rate test
ST1: lose-of-coolant incident with release of radioactivity
ST2: occurrences resulting in underpressure inside the containment vessel: breakdown of ventilation system,
occurrences near the end of loss-of-coolant incidents and small leaks
ST3: design basis earthquake simultaneous with normal operation (NB)
ST4: pipe rupture inside the containment vessel without release of radioactivity including, as required, jet
impingement and reaction forces, simultaneous with normal operation (NB) (without thermal stresses)
ST5: pipe rupture outside the containment vessel including, as required, jet impingement and reaction forces,
simultaneous with normal operation (NB) (without thermal stresses)
ST6: external events without design basis earthquake, simultaneous with normal operation (NB) (without thermal
stresses)

Table 3.5-1: Correlation of loading conditions, loads and service limit levels with the required stress and stability analyses for
the containment vessel of a pressurized water reactor
KTA 3401.2 Page 4
(3) Cruciform weld seams shall be avoided. Weld-
Connected load-carrying parts shall be welded over the com-
plete connecting cross-section. Fillet welds are (only) allowed
on internally mounted coverplates for closing off nozzle pipes
or on internally mounted leak-tight boxes because these weld
seams primarily have a sealing function. Other fillet welds on
pressure-retaining parts shall be avoided. Exeptions are al-
lowed only in agreement with the authorized experts under
Sec. 20 Atomic Energy act and under Civil Law.
4.4 Favorable Design Regarding Maintenance
(1) Components of the containment vessel shall be designed
such that a decontamination is possible.
(2) If components are required to be removed for mainte-
nance or testing their disassembly should be possible with a
least possible radiation exposure of the personnel.
4.5 Design Details
4.5.1 Welded Joints
The distance between welded joints should be larger than or
equal to three times the wallthickness but shall not be smaller
than 100 mm. In the case of T-joints, the smaller angle shall
not be less than 30 degrees.
4.5.2 Burt Joints
(1) Butt joints should be without offset of the median planes. If,
however, an offset of median planes is specified, then the result-
ing stress elevations shall be demonstrated by computation.
(2) With regard to a non-specified offset of median planes,
Sec. 5.9 KTA 3401.3 applies.
(3) In case of butt joints of unequal wall thickness with a
one-sided offset of edges and where s1 is larger than 1.1 s2, or
with a two-sided offset of edges and where s1 is larger than
1.2 s2, the thicker plate shall be chamfered down in a ratio of
1:3 or smaller on one side or on both sides, respectively.
(4) In the corner region of adjoining plates with a one-sided
offset of, edges and where s1 is larger than 1.1 s2, or a
two-sided offset and where s1 is larger than 1.2 s2, the cham-
fer shall be rounded off on one or on both sides in accordance
with Figure 4.5-1.
Figure 4.5-1: Wallthickness transition with rounded chamfer
(5) The requirements in accordance with Sec. 6 KTA 3401.3
regarding a design favorable to ultrasonic testing shall be met.
4.5.3 Support Structures
(1) Type and size of the support structures are dependent
on the reactor type and on the structure of the containment
vessel including its attachments and internals. In addition to
the clamping of the containment vessel in the foundation, the
support structure also may include separate supports for
transferring loads from the attachments (e.g., condensation
chamber, lock , pipes).
(2) In designing the transition zone of the clamping, i.e.,
where the containment vessel wall emerges from the con-
crete structure, it shall be considered that additional stresses
can be reduced by suitable design measures, e.g., the use of
an elastic embedding material. In this case, the ingress of
moisture shall be prevented by means of seals.
4.5.4 Cutouts, Cutout Reinforcements and Equipment Hatches
(1) A weakening of the wall due to cutouts shall, depending
on their type, arrangement and number, be compensated for
by reinforcements. The reinforcements should not be consid-
erably thicker than required with regard to the allowable
stresses. Cutouts should preferably be circular or elliptical.
(2) In case of angular cutouts, the corners should be
rounded off with the largest possible radius.
(3) Plates laid on and weld-connected to the containment
vessel wall are not allowed.
(4) Cutouts in the product form may be reinforced by de-
signs favorable to stress in accordance with items a through d;
this is independent of the manufacturing procedure of the
product forms.
a) Cutout reinforcements where the weakening in the wall is
accounted for by a sufficient increase of the wallthickness
of the product form.
Penetrations should be grouped together in a reinforced
circumferential zone or in single reinforced plates.
The number of single plates shall be kept as low as possi-
ble by properly grouping the penetrations.
b) Cutout reinforcements by a ring-shaped thickening of the
product form, where the reinforcing action is based alone
on this ring-shaped thickening.
c) Cutout reinforcements by a pipe-shaped strengthening of the
product form, where the reinforcing action is based alone on
this weld connected, preferably penetrating, nozzle.
d) Cutout reinforcements by a strengthening the product form
by a combination of a ring-shaped thickening of the prod-
uct form and a weld connected, preferably penetrating,
nozzle.
(5) The design of cutouts shall fulfill the requirements re-
garding the design of cable penetrations in accordance with
KTA 3403 and the design of pipe penetrations in accordance
with KTA 3407.
Note:
KTA 3407, Pipe Penetrations of the Containment, is in preparation.
(6) Removable connections in conjunction with cutouts are
allowed if the requirements regarding leak-tightness are met.
(7) If erection openings for transferring large plant compo-
nents are designed with removable connections, the shell
forces may be transferred, e.g., by means of a double-cover-
plate-joint with high-strength bolts, or by means of interlocking
hoock-shaped flanges with wedge shaped or fitted pressure
bars, or by means of fitted shear bolts.
(8) Nozzles shall be manufactured from forged and rolled
bars, from forged seamless hollow bodies or from seamless

pipes. Longitudinally welded pipe sections may be employed if
their nominal diameter is larger than or equal to 300 mm.
(9) Pipe sections shall, basically, be back welded. Excep-
tions are allowed, where for geometric reasons (e.g., small
dimensions, shaped parts and armatures) the back-welding is
impossible. In these cases the root shall be machined. If a
machining of the root is impossible, the testability of the weld
seam shall be ensured by special measures.
(10) The requirements in accordance with. Sec. 6 KTA 3401.3
regarding a design favorable to testing shall be met.
4.5.5 Blind Covers and Flanges
The requirements in accordance with Sec. 6 KTA 3401.3 re-
garding a design favorable to testing shall be met.
5 Stress and Stability Analysis
5.1 General
(1) The stress and stability analyses shall be performed on
the basis of the theory of elasticity. If necessary, the plastic
behavior of components of the support structure shall be in-
cluded in these analyses which, among others, also depends
on the corresponding ratio of the maximum moment of plastic-
ity to the maximum moment of elasticity.
(2) With the assumption of an ideally elastic and ideally plastic
material behavior, this ratio equals 1.5 in the case of isotropic
plate and shell structures, whereas, in the case of anisotropic
plate and shell structures and of profile bars different values
may have to be assumed. These groups of plate and shell
structures are, therefore, dealt with in separate sections.
(3) If necessary, deformations of the containment vessel
shall be demonstrated.
5.2 Isotropic Plate and Shell Structures
5.2.1 General
The stress and stability analysis shall, in general, be per-
formed by computation. If the computation is to be supple-
mented or replaced by experiments, the plant vendor, manu-
facturer and authorized experts under Sec. 20 Atomic Energy
Act and under Civil Law shall, in advance, reach an agree-
ment on the experimental programm.
5.2.2 Determination of Stress Resultants
The stress resultants shall be determined in accordance with
the theory of elasticity under consideration of all geometric
discontinuities (e.g., change in shall shape, transitions of
wallthicknesses, penetrations) and of the restrictions of defor-
mation in accordance with Section 3.3(2) and shall be deter-
mined for the service limit levels in accordance with Section 3.4.
5.2.3 Stress Classification
5.2.3.1 General
(1) Depending on their causes and on their effects on the
physical properties of the components, the stresses shall be
correlated as primary stresses, secondary stresses and peak
stresses, and shall, in accordance with this correlation, be
limited accordingly.
(2) In those borderline cases where the stresses cannot be
clearly correlated to one of these classifications, the effect of
plastic deformation on the physical properties shall be the
determining factor under the assumption that the specified
load is exceeded.
KTA 3401.2 Page 5
(4) Membrane stresses in the wall of the containment vessel
caused by forces and moments from pipes shall be correlated
as primary stresses.
Note:
The terms used in the following sections are based on the theory
of plate and shell structures (e.g., shells, plates, discs); they can,
however, also be applied for different structures and components
(e.g., rods, beams).
5.2.3.2 Primary stresses
(1) Primary stresses (P) are such stresses which balance
the external forces (loads) to achieve equilibrium.
(2) Their basic, characteristic with regard to structural be-
havior is that the deformations will increase considerably with-
out limiting themselves if external loads show an (unallowably
large) increase and after the cross-section is completely plas-
tified.
(3) The primary stresses shall be separated according to
their orientation normal to the wall of a component as mem-
brane stresses (Pm, Pl) and bending stresses (Pb).
(4) In the case of plate and shell structures the membrane
stresses are defined as the averagevalue of the stresses
distributed over the wallthickness. The bending stresses of
plate and shell structures are defined as the linearly changing
component of the stresses distributed over the wallthickness.
In case of unsymmetric cross-sections, as they can occur in
beams, the stresses shall be weighted in accordance faith the
respective surfaces.
(5) Regarding the distribution along the wall, the general
primary membrane stresses (Pm) and the local primary mem-
brane stresses (Pl) shall be distinguished from each other.
Primary membrane stresses in shells shall be considered as
local if, outside of an area with the length 1.0 × R × s contain-
ing the fault, they do not exceed a value of 1.1 times the al-
lowable general primary membrane stress and if the maximum
values of two neighboring local primary membrane stresses
are separated from each other by a distance of at least
2.5 × R × s the minimum midsurface radius of curvature and s
the wallthickness. If the local primary stresses under consid-
eration of load superposition in the decay regions of neigh-
boring faults do not exceed the value of 1.1 times the allow-
able general membrane stress, then the distance limit value
between neighboring maximum values of the membrane
stresses does not have, to be adhered to.
(6) The general primary membrane stresses are distributed
such that no essential redistribution of stresses to neighboring
regions would occur due to plastification; in the case of local
primary membrane stresses a plastification will lead to a load
redistribution.
5.2.3.3 Secondary Stresses
(1) Secondary stresses (Q) are such stresses that are caused
by restraints due to geometric discontinuities or by using adjacent
materials of unequal moduli of elasticity under external loads
where the loading is caused by unequal thermal expansion. Only
those stresses resulting from the linearized course of stress dis-
tribution are counted as secondary stresses.
(2) Their basic characteristic with regard to structural be-
havior is that, when the yield strength is exceeded, self-limiting
plastic deformations are created during equalization of differ-
ences of deformations.
KTA 3401.2 Page 6
5.2.3.4 Peak Stress
(1) Peak stress (F) is that stress that is superimposed on the
sum of the corresponding primary and secondary stresses. It
does not cause any noticeable deformations and is, therefore,
important only with regard to fatigue in conjunction with pri-
mary and secondary stresses.
(2) The peak stresses also comprise the deviations from
nominal stresses due to pressure and temperature in the case
of rims of cutouts with other than pipe shaped reinforcements
whereby the nominal stresses shall be derived from equilib-
rium considerations.
5.2.4 Stress Superposition and, Stress Evaluation
5.2.4.1 General
(1) For each loading condition the simultaneously and unidi-
rectionally acting stresses shall be superposed individually for
each stress category, or collectively for the different categories
as shown below.
(2) From these summations of stresses, the reference stress
shall be determined for the primary stresses; the reference
stress ranges shall be determined individually for the sum of
primary and secondary stresses, and for the sum of primary
stresses, secondary stresses and peak stresses.
(3) The reference stresses and reference stress ranges shall
be limited in accordance with Section 5.2.5.
5.2.4.2 Reference Stresses
(1) The reference stresses, to be correlated to the different
primary stresses shall be calculated in accordance with the
maximum shear stress hypothesis or with the deformation
energy hypothesis, and shall be compared to the respectively
allowable values.
(2) After first establishing a Cartesian coordinate system, the
numerical sums of the coincidentally and directionally acting
stresses shall be established individually for
a) the general primary membrane stresses,
b) the local primary membrane stresses,
c) the sum of the general primary membrane stresses or of
the local primary membrane stresses and of the primary
bending stresses.
For each of these three cases, the results shall be used to
determine the reference stresses in accordance either with the
maximum shear stress hypothesis or with the deformation
energy hypothesis.
5.2.4.3 Reference Stress Range
(1) To avoid the failure due to
a) propagating deformations,
b) fatigue,
the reference stress ranges corresponding to the different
stress categories shall be determined and limited accordingly.
(2) In case of item a, the necessary stress tensors shall be
formed using the simultaneously acting stresses from the
primary and secondary stress categories and, in case of
item b, using the simultaneously acting stresses from all stress
categories.
(3) From the group of stress conditions to be considered,
and after establishing a fixed coordinate system, two stress
conditions shall be chosen such that the reference stress
calculated as the difference between the corresponding stress
tensors is a maximum. This maximum is the reference stress
range.
(4) If the stress conditions to be considered have the same
principal stress direction then, whendetermining the reference
stresses in accordance with the maximum shear stress hypo-
thesis, it is sufficient to determine the maximum of the differ-
ences between any, two principal stress directions. This
maximum represents the reference stress range in accor-
dance with the maximum shear stress hypothesis. A proof of
allowability for the reference stress range is not required if the
reference stress does not exceed the 0.2% strain limit (Rp0.2T)
or the yield strength (ReHT) in either of the service limit levels 1
and 2 (see Section 3.4).
5.2.5 Allowable Stress Values
(1) The allowable stress values shall be related to the 0.2 %
strain limit (Rp0.2T) or the yield strength (ReHT) at the respec-
tively relevant temperatures.
(2) The stresses allowed for the component also apply to the
weld seams in conjunction with the manufacturing and quality
assurance requirements in accordance with KTA 3401.3. If the
equations of the AD-Guidelines are used in the design, then a
weld seam factor of 1.0 may be applied.
(3) If, in the following, allowable stress values are specified
as being larger than 1.0 Rp0.2T or 1.0 ReHT, these shall be con-
sidered as fictitious stresses, the adherence to which are
meant to limit resulting deformations.
(4) For the reference stresses determined from the primary
stresses in accordance with Section 5.2.4.2, and for the refer-
ence stress range as the sum of primary and secondary
stresses in accordance with Section 5.2.4.3, the following
allowable stress values presented in terms of Rp0.2T or ReHT
apply.
(5) In case of the service limit levels 0 and 1, the following
limits apply:
a) 0.67 Rp0.2T for the reference stress from general primary
membrane stresses (Pm); however, the value of Rp0.2T may
not exceed 370 N/mm² at room temperature and
320 N/mm² at 150 °C.
b) 0.75 Rp0.2T for the reference stress from local primary
membrane stresses (Pl), from the sums of general primary
membrane stresses and primary bending stresses
(Pm + Pb), or from the sums of local primary membrane
stresses and primary bending stresses (Pl + Pb).
(6) In the case of the level 1 service limit, the following re-
quirements apply in addition to items a and b of paragraph 5:
a) 1.67 Rp0.2T for the reference stress range from the sums of
general primary membrane stresses, primary bending
stresses and secondary stresses (Pm + Pb + Q), or from
the sums of local primary membrane stresses, primary
bending stresses and secondary stresses (Pl + Pb + Q);
however, the value of Rp0.2T may not exceed 370 N/mm² at
room temperature and 320 N/mm² at 150 °C.
The loss-of-coolant incident (ST1) need not be considered
in forming the reference stress range if in accordance with
the specifications its assumed number of occurrences is
smaller than 5. The sum of the primary and secondary
stresses from ST1 shall be limited to 1.67 Rp0.2T. Here,
temperature stresses in the containment vessel wall which
are in equilibrium with each other may be neglected. This
also applies to temperature stresses in the nozzle regions
of the containment vessel zones embedded in concrete.
b) For the reference stress range determined in accordance
with Section 5.2.4.3 from the sum of primary stresses,
secondary; stresses and peak stresses, a fatigue analysis
in accordance with Section 5.5 shall be performed.
 KTA 3401.2 Page 7

c) In the case of level 2 service limit, the limit values in ac-
cordance with paragraph 5 items a and b and paragraph 6
item a may be increased by 10 %. In the case of testing
loading conditions and other substantiated loading condi-
tions no secondary stress analysis and no fatigue analysis
need to be performed.
d) In the case of level 3 service limit, only primary stresses
need to be analyzed. Here, the limit values in accordance
with paragraph 5 items a and b may be increased by 25 %.
(7) Table 5.2-1 lists the limit values for the stresses and
stress ranges.
5.2.6 Stability Analysis
The stability of pressure-retaining shells shall be analyzed
assuming applicable geometries and loads in accordance with
DASt 013. The correlation between the service limit levels in:,
accordance with this safety standard and the. load cases in
accordance with DASt 013 is shown in Table 5.2-2.

1) 1)
Service Pm Pl, Pm + Pb + Q Pm + Pb + Q + F
Limit Level Pm + Pb or or or
Pl + Pb Pl + Pb + Q Pl + Pb + Q + F
0 0.67 · Rp0.2T 0.75 · Rp0.2T - -
1 0.67 · Rp0.2T 0.75 · Rp0.2T 1.67 · Rp0.2T fatigue analysis
2)
2 0.75 · Rp0.2T 0.84 · Rp0.2T 1.84 · Rp0.2T fatigue analysis
3 0.84 · Rp0.2T 0.94 · Rp0.2T - -
1)
Rp0,2T £ 370 N/mm² at room temperature
£ 320 N/mm² at T = 150 °C
2)
For loading conditions from testing and other substantiated loading conditions no secondary stress analysis and fatigue
analysis need be carried out.

Table 5.2-1: Limit Values for the Stresses and Stress Range and Required Analyses for the Different Service Limit Levels

service limit levels load cases in accordance with 5.4.2 Transmission of Shear Forces
DASt 013
5.4.2.1 General
0 H
1 H (1) Shear force joints shall be designed to be symmetric to
the plane in which the force acts. Therefore, in the case of
2 HZ butt-jointed plates, coverplates on both sides shall be used,
3 HS with out exception.
(2) The calculation of shear force joints shall be based on
Table 5.2-2: Correlation of service limit levels and load cases Sec. 7.2 DIN 18 800 Part 1 under consideration of Sec-
in accordance with DASt 013 tions 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.2.3.
(3) The distance of hole edges and the hole spacing shall be
determined in accordance with Sec. 9.2.1.2 DIN 18 800 Part 1.
5.3 Anisotropic Plate and Shell Structures and Frame
(4) Shear force joints shall be constructed in accordance
Structures
with Sec. 3.3 DIN 18 800 Part 7.
The stress and stability analyses shall be performed in accor-
dance with generally accepted standards of civil engineering
5.4.2.2 Combined Shear/Bearing Pressure Joints
under consideration of the stress type and its assumed num-
ber of occurrence. The allowable stresses shall be presented (1) Combined shear/bearing pressure joints (SL, SLP) may
in terms of the Rp0.2T or ReHT value of the steel employed. be designed for closely fitted bolts of the strength class 5.6 in
accordance with DIN 7968, or with bolts of the strength
class 10.9 in accordance with DIN 6914 whose shafts and
5.4 Bolt Joints
threads are in accordance with DIN 7968. In the case that the
5.4.1 General displacements to be expected are insignificant and the
stresses occur without change of direction then non closely
(1) The forces to be transmitted shall be determined for all fitted bolts of the strength class 10.9 in accordance with
service limit levels in accordance with Section 3.4. In the case DIN 6914 may be used.
of bolts subjected to tensile stress, their prestress shall be
considered if it was not already taken into account in the (2) The bolt diameter and material thickness should be cor-
specification of allowable stresses. related to each other such that relation (5.4-1) is satisfied.
(2) For the components to be joined, it shall be shown that t a act s 1 act
the limit values for the stresses and stress range specified in = 0 .8 × (5.4-1)
accordance with Section 5.2.5 are not exceeded under con- t a all s 1 all
sideration of the reduction of the cross-section due to the bolt
holes. (act = actual; all = allowed)
The allowed values of the bolt bearing pressures of and of the
shear stress s1, to be calculated in accordance with equa-
tions 13 and 14a DIN 18 800 Part 1, are specified in Ta-
ble 5.4-1.
KTA 3401.2 Page 8
5.4.2.3 Non-Slip Joints
(1) Non-slip joints (GV - high-strength non-fitted bolts; GVP -
high-strength fitted bolts) shall be designed with bolts of
strength class 10.9 in accordance with Sec. 3.3.3 DIN 18 800
Part 7. The pre-stress shall, however, be limited to
0.9 Rp0.2T,S, where Rp0.2T,S is the 0.2 % strain limit of the bolt
material at the highest temperature to be expected.
(2) In case of unequal thermal expansion between the bolt
material and the material of the joined components, the effect
of the prestress force of the bolts shall be considered.
(3) Non-closely fitted bolts (GV-joint) in accordance with
DIN 6914 or closely fitted bolts (GVP-joint) of strength
class 10.9 may be used.
(4) In case of GV-joints, the maximum allowable transferable
force, QGVall, shall equal
m on the basis of the theory of elasticity under consideration of
QGVall = × PV (5.4-2 )
n deformation of the seals. Any bending stress exerted on the
per bolt and friction surface.
In equation (5.4-2):
PV = pre-stress force of the bolt,
N = friction coefficient of the contact surfaces. Generally, m
shall be set equal to 0.5 unless the friction coefficient for
the material of the component is experimentally deter-
mined by an acknowledged testing institute under consid-
eration of the preparation of the contact surfaces and of
the determining component temperature. The friction coef-
ficient shall be reduced in correspondence to the ratio of
Rp0.2T,B to ReH(St37) if this ratio is less than 1.0
(see Table 5.4-1 for the meaning of Rp0.2T,B;
ReH(St37) = 240 N/mm²). If a glide resistant coating is used,
consideration shall be given to its behavior upon being
heated; this behavior shall always be determined by ex-
periment.
u = safety factor against gliding
Stress level 1:
u = 1.25 in the case of dominantly steady loads, and
u = 1.4 .otherwise
Stress level 2:
u = 1.1
Stress level 3:
u = 1.0
The allowable bolt bearing pressure is
Stress level 1: 2.0 Rp0.2T,B
Stress level 2: 2.2 Rp0.2T,B
Stress level 3: 2.5 Rp0.2T,B
(5) In case of GVP-joints, the allowable shear force per
friction or shear surface, QGVPall, shall be calculated in accor-
dance with equation 16 DIN 18 800 Part 1. The required
QSLPall shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.4.2.2
of this safety standard and QGVall in accordance with equa-
tion (5.4-2).
(6) If GVP-joints are loaded with stress resultants of alter-
nating signs, then the transferal of the force with the larger
absolute value shall be demonstrated with QSLPall and that with
the smaller absolute value with QGVall.
5.4.3 Shear Joints with External Tensile Loading
(1) If bolt joints are subjected to coincidental shear and
tensile forces, then, unless the joints concerned are of subor-
dinate nature, bolts of strength class 10.9 with a pre-stress in
accordance with Section 5.4.2.3 shall be used.
(2) In this case, the calculated tensile force of the bolt shall
not exceed 60 % of the prestress force. If the maximum of this
value is actually used in a GV-joint, then the allowable shear
force per contact surface shall be reduced to 0.2 times the
calculated value. In the case of GVP-joints, this reduction
applies only to the component term QGVall. Intermediate values
may be linearly interpolated.
(3) A fatigue analysis is not required for the tensile loading of
bolts pre-stressed in accordance with Section 5.4.2.2.
5.4.4 Tensile Joints
(1) For tensile joints, an exact analysis shall be carried out
bolt shall be included in the stress analysis. The effectiveness
of the seal shall be assured.
(2) Particular attention shall be paid to the extent to which
the entire joint construction can sustain deformation.
(3) The tensile stress and the bending tensile, stress may
not exceed 0.67 Rp0.2T.
Note:
AD-B7 and AD-B8 may be applied until DIN 2505 appears in its
new version.
5.5 Fatigue Analysis
5.5.1 General
A fatigue analysis shall be performed in order to avoid failure
from fatigue due to repeated change in loading. The stresses
used in the fatigue analysis shall be calculated linear-
elastically. The reference stress range shall be determined
from all stresses, including the peak stresses (F).
5.5.2 Limiting the Fatigue Stress
(1) Since the reference stress ranges
sV = 2   sA = 2 E20 (5.5-1)
take on differently large values, they shall be suitably grouped
in steps of 2 sAi; the contributions of the reference stress
ranges to the fatigue stress in accordance with the linear elas-
tic theory shall be accumulated as shown below.
(2) For each group sAi = Sa, the allowable number of stress
cycles ni shall be determined from the fatigue curve in accor-
dance with Figure 5.5-1; this value shall be compared to the
number of specified stress cycles, ni, or, in the case of a re-
computation, to those that actually occurred during operation.
(3) The sum of the quotients ni / n̂i is the degree of fatigue,
D:
n1 n 2 n
D= + + ... + i £ 1.0 (5.5-2)
n̂1 n̂ 2 n̂i
Note:
The fatigue curves of Figure 5.5-1 are experimentally derived
from one-axial alternations of elongation; the elongations where
multiplied by the modulus of elasticity, so that the y-axis repre-
sents units of stress (these are fictitious values for the region of
plastification). The “allowable” curves where derived from the
lower envelope of the experimental results under consideration of
different tensile strengths and additional safety factors.
 KTA 3401.2 Page 9

are no concerns with regard to safety, provided they are not

already required to be removed for other reasons.
5.6 Shape Deviations
Shape deviations from manufacturing that exceed the limits in
accordance with Sec. 5 KTA 3401.3 are only allowed if there

closely fitted bolts with a play £ 0.3 mm non-closely fitted bolts with a play £ 1.0 mm
strength class 5.6 10.9 with a pre-stress ³ 0.5 PV
in accordance with Table 1, column 2 DIN 18 800 Part 7
bolts bearing 1.33 Rp0.2T,B 1.75 Rp0.2T,B 1.50 Rp0.2T,B
pressure sl £ as · 480 N/mm²
shear stress ta as · 210 N/mm² as · 280 N/mm² as · 240 N/mm²
The allowable stresses may be increased by 10 % for level 2 service limit and by 25 % for level 3 service limit.
Rp0.2T,B = 0.2 % strain limit Rp0.2T or yield strength ReHT of the component material at the individually decisive tempera-
tures
Rp0.2T, S
as =
Rp0.2RT,S

Rp0.2T,S = 0.2 % strain limit Rp0.2T or yield strength ReHT of the bolt material at the individually determining temperatures
Rp0.2RT,S = 0.2 % strain limit Rp0.2T or yield strength ReH of the bolt material at room temperature

Table 5.4-1: Allowable Stresses for Combined Shear/Bearing Pressure Joints

Figure 5.5-1: Fatigue curves for ferritic steels

KTA 3401.2 Page 10

Appendix A

Regulations Referred to in this Safety Standard

Regulations referred to in this safety standard are valid only in the Versions cited below. Regulations which are referred to within
these regulations are valid only in the Version that was valid when the latter regulations were established or issued.

Atomic Energy Act Act an the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy and the Protection against
its Dangers (Atomgesetz - Atomic Energy Act) in the Version made
public an October 31, 1976 (BGBl. I, page 3053), last modified
August 20, 1980 (BGBl. I, page 1556)
KTA 3401.1 (11/82) Steel Containment Vessels
Part 1: Materials
KTA 3401.3 (10/79) Steel Containment Vessels
Part 3: Manufacture
KTA 3401.4 (3/81) Steel Containment Vessels
Part 4: Inservice Inspections
KTA 3403 (10/80) Cable Penetrations through the Reactor Containment Vessel
DASt 013 (7/80) Demonstration of Safety against Buckling in Shells
DIN 18 800 Part 1 (3/81) Steel Structures; Design
DIN 18 800 Part 7 (5/83) Steel Structures; Manufacture, Demonstration of Suitability for Welding
DIN 6914 (3/79) Large-Key Hexagon Bolts for High Strength Connections in Steel
Structures
DIN 7968 (1/71) Fitted Hexagon Bolts, without Nuts, with Hexagonal Nuts, for Steel
Structures