Vibration amplification mechanism and theoretical mitigation strategy for feedwater flow meter brackets in nuclear power plants
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper investigates the vibration amplification mechanisms and theoretical mitigation strategies for safety-class feedwater flow meter brackets in a nuclear power plant. Initial field surveys revealed excessive low-frequency (10–50 Hz) vibration energy at the transmitter installation node, posing significant long-term fatigue hazards. To elucidate this phenomenon, an equivalent cantilever beam model and a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) isolation model were established. Guided by the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and vibration transmissibility analysis, a theoretical forward-design methodology was implemented to decouple structural resonance from external excitations. A composite optimization scheme—comprising localized stiffness reinforcement, a targeted 250 mm reduction in effective cantilever length, and specific elastic mounting—was formulated via numerical parameter optimization. Both laboratory and on-site experimental validations demonstrated that the optimized structure successfully shifted the natural frequency and strictly satisfied the critical isolation condition (\(\:{T}_{r}<1\)) in dominant frequency bands. Consequently, the overall vibration acceleration levels at the transmitter were remarkably suppressed by 18.4 to 26.4 dB across the 10 Hz to 8 kHz spectrum, providing a rigorously validated paradigm for vibration control in critical nuclear instrumentation.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Shiliang Jiang, Bo Gu, Shuai Wang, Bo Zhao, Yaofei Li
Institution: China State Shipbuilding (China)
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7202339486