LARGE-SCALE SEISMIC TEST PROGRAM AT HUALIEN TAIWAN

The large scale seismic test (LSST) program at Hualien, Taiwan, is a f ollow-on to the soil-structure interaction (SSI) experiments at Lotung , Taiwan. The planned SSI studies are performed at a stiff soil site i n Hualien, Taiwan, that historically has had slightly more destructive earthquakes in the past than Lotung. The objectives of the LSST progr am are as follows: to obtain earthquake-induced SSI data at a stiff so il site having similar prototypical nuclear power plant soil condition s; to confirm the findings and methodologies validated against the Lot ung soft soil SSI data for prototypical plant condition applications; to validate further the technical basis of realistic SSI analysis appr oaches; to support further the resolution of USI A-40 ''Seismic Design Criteria'' issue. These objectives are accomplished through an integr ated and carefully planned experimental program consisting of soil cha racterization, test model design and field construction, instrumentati on layout and deployment, in situ geophysical information collection, forced vibration test, and synthesis of results and findings. The Hual ien LSST is a joint effort among many interested parties. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) a re the organizers of the program and have the lead in planning and man aging the program. Other organizations participating in the LSST progr am are the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Central Research In stitute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Tokyo Electric Power Comp amy (TEPCO), Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique (CEA), Electricite de F rance (EdF), Framatome, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Kore a Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), and Korea Power Engineering Comp any (KOPEC). The LSST array started operation in June 1993, and is env isioned to be of five years duration.