5.2 Underlying standards

When designing structural systems for nuclear power plants in Europe, the verifications of stability and serviceability for purpose must be conducted based on Eurocode standards with the semi-probabilistic partial safety concept. Eurocode standard prin­ciples are therefore followed in the specific rules for nuclear power plants, consisting of the KTA rules [14] and DIN standards. KTA status report KTA-GS-78 [51] and the corresponding new DIN 25449 [15] are of fundamental importance here.

KTA status report KTA-GS-78 provides recommendations to be used in the partial safety concept required for designing building structures in Europe. These recommen­dations, which focus particularly on categories of requirements specific to nuclear power plants relate to both reinforced and pre-stressed concrete and to steelwork. The new DIN 25449, which is guided by the recommendations of KTA status report KTA — GS-78, includes specific definitions of specific extraordinary actions involved in nuclear power plants and details of proofs and design concepts for concrete, reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structural members.

Apart from KTA status report KTA-GS-78 and DIN 25449 with their fundamental design requirements, KTA 2201.3 [42] and DIN 25459 [16] should also be mentioned. KTA 2201.3 gives details on designing nuclear power plant structures to withstand earthquake effects and DIN 25459 governs designing containments, covering possible containment variants — reinforced concrete and pre-stressed containments with liners.