Beyond design basis accident: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Bdb.jpg|500px|thumbnail|right|Figure 1. Correlation between beyond design basis, design basis and human error accidents.<ref>''Created by a member of the Energy Education team.''</ref>]] | [[File:Bdb.jpg|500px|thumbnail|right|Figure 1. Correlation between beyond design basis, design basis and human error accidents.<ref>''Created by a member of the Energy Education team.''</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>'''Beyond design-basis''' accidents are those that are outside the realm of what the plant was designed to withstand. The classic example is the [[Fukushima nuclear accident]].</onlyinclude> | |||
<onlyinclude>'''Beyond design-basis''' are | |||
Beyond design-basis events are difficult to predict either because they have never occurred or have a low probability of occurring. This is closely related to the idea of [[black swan theory]]. | Beyond design-basis events are difficult to predict either because they have never occurred or have a low probability of occurring. This is closely related to the idea of [[black swan theory]]. | ||
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| Car Crash Testing || Car bumpers are designed to withstand speeds of up to 5 MPH with minimal damage.<ref name="crash">"Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS Crash Tests." Internet:http://www.iihs.org, 2014 [Apr. 4, 2014].</ref> || Front or rear end collisions at speeds higher than 5 MPH result in major damage to the car and/or passengers.<ref name= "crash"/> | | Car Crash Testing || Car bumpers are designed to withstand speeds of up to 5 MPH with minimal damage.<ref name="crash">"Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS Crash Tests." Internet:http://www.iihs.org, 2014 [Apr. 4, 2014].</ref> || Front or rear end collisions at speeds higher than 5 MPH result in major damage to the car and/or passengers.<ref name= "crash"/> | ||
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| Fukushima Daiichi 2011 || Plant was built to withstand tsunamis with a maximum height of 5. | | Fukushima Daiichi 2011 || Plant was built to withstand tsunamis with a maximum height of 5.7 m and earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 7.5.<ref name="fukushima">“Fukushima Accident.” Internet: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Fukushima-Accident/, Apr. 2014 [Apr. 04, 2014].</ref>|| The plant was subject to a 15 m tall tsunami and 9.0 magnitude earthquake,<ref name="fukushima"/> it was unable to protect against such an onslaught resulting in leaking radioactive material leakage into the Pacific Ocean | ||
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[[File:Crash.jpg|500px|thumbnail|center|Vehicle on the left, before and after | [[File:Crash.jpg|500px|thumbnail|center|Vehicle on the left, before and after 5 MPH crash test (design basis). Vehicle on the right, before and after 40 MPH crash test (beyond design basis)<ref name= "crash"/>]] | ||
Machinery such as [[vehicle]]s and [[power plant]]s are designed to withstand varying degrees of accidents. For example, a power plant would need to withstand external threats common to the area and natural disasters. If a speculated accident occurs, based on its design, the plant should be able to remain safe and secure. A power plant located in a politically volatile region might be built to withstand plane crashes—these types of considerations are within the scope of ''design-basis accidents'' as opposed to the rigour ''beyond design-basis accidents.'' | Machinery such as [[vehicle]]s and [[power plant]]s are designed to withstand varying degrees of accidents. For example, a power plant would need to withstand external threats common to the area and natural disasters. If a speculated accident occurs, based on its design, the plant should be able to remain safe and secure. A power plant located in a politically volatile region might be built to withstand plane crashes—these types of considerations are within the scope of ''design-basis accidents'' as opposed to the rigour ''beyond design-basis accidents.'' | ||
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==For Further Reading== | ==For Further Reading== | ||
*[[ | *[[Fukushima nuclear accident]] | ||
*[[Carbon capture and storage]] | *[[Carbon capture and storage]] | ||
*[[Extreme weather events]] | *[[Extreme weather events]] | ||
Revision as of 22:03, 21 May 2026
Figure 1. Correlation between beyond design basis, design basis and human error accidents.[1]
Beyond design-basis accidents are those that are outside the realm of what the plant was designed to withstand. The classic example is the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Beyond design-basis events are difficult to predict either because they have never occurred or have a low probability of occurring. This is closely related to the idea of black swan theory.
Events that occur due to human error, poor design and negligence in construction are not considered beyond basis-design events, since these are predictable and preventable.
| Example | Design Basis Specifications | Beyond Design Basis Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Car Crash Testing | Car bumpers are designed to withstand speeds of up to 5 MPH with minimal damage.[2] | Front or rear end collisions at speeds higher than 5 MPH result in major damage to the car and/or passengers.[2] |
| Fukushima Daiichi 2011 | Plant was built to withstand tsunamis with a maximum height of 5.7 m and earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 7.5.[3] | The plant was subject to a 15 m tall tsunami and 9.0 magnitude earthquake,[3] it was unable to protect against such an onslaught resulting in leaking radioactive material leakage into the Pacific Ocean |
Vehicle on the left, before and after 5 MPH crash test (design basis). Vehicle on the right, before and after 40 MPH crash test (beyond design basis)[2]
Machinery such as vehicles and power plants are designed to withstand varying degrees of accidents. For example, a power plant would need to withstand external threats common to the area and natural disasters. If a speculated accident occurs, based on its design, the plant should be able to remain safe and secure. A power plant located in a politically volatile region might be built to withstand plane crashes—these types of considerations are within the scope of design-basis accidents as opposed to the rigour beyond design-basis accidents.
It is difficult to predict these events and prepare for them due to their extreme rarity. Under these infrequent circumstances the plant may be unable to operate safely. Reduction in the safety margin of a plant can cause a catastrophic failures such as meltdowns.
For Further Reading
- Fukushima nuclear accident
- Carbon capture and storage
- Extreme weather events
- Black swan theory
- Or explore a random page
References
- ↑ Created by a member of the Energy Education team.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS Crash Tests." Internet:http://www.iihs.org, 2014 [Apr. 4, 2014].
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Fukushima Accident.” Internet: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Fukushima-Accident/, Apr. 2014 [Apr. 04, 2014].