Time History Broadening
Section 6.5.2 of N283.3-10 of the CSA Standard [1] describes analytical methods for seismic qualification of nuclear components. Clause 6.5.2.2 of this Section instructs how to prepare seismic input for the time history method, specifically it states: “Time-histories of support point motion (displacement, velocity, or acceleration) may be used as dynamic inputs to components. To take into account the effects of possible frequency variations of component and structure, the analysis shall be carried out using three different time-history excitations. These time-histories shall be obtained by varying time scale of the original support point time-history by (a) 1.0; (b) 1 - Δfj/fj; and (c) 1 + Δfj/fj, where fj = the dominant structural frequency; Δfj = a parameter defining the frequency variation due to uncertainties in structural soil properties. The most severe effects obtained from these three time history analyses shall be considered in the design of the components. Notes: (1) A value of 15% for Δfj/fj may be used for the time-history analysis specified in this Clause; (2) For structures directly on bedrock, a value of Δfj/fj = 0% may be used”. This paper identifies some ambiguities in the approach described above. It shows, by theory and examples, that significantly different responses are obtained depending on which form of excitation is used (acceleration, velocity or displacement). In a typical acceleration excitation approach, the response may be over or under estimated. To remove this ambiguity, the paper proposes a simple modification of the broadening procedure described in [1]. The problem discussed in this paper may also be meaningful for the broadening time history described in Appendix N of ASME Code [2].