ML20214Q254

Suppls Author & Responds to Concern Re Cracks in Base Mat Slab of Reactor Bldg.Cracks in Base Mat Do Not Impair Base Mat from Carrying Design Static & Seismic Loads.Consultant & Sections of Insp Repts Encl

ML20214Q254
Person / Time
Site:	Fermi
Issue date:	09/19/1986
From:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Sinclair M SINCLAIR, M.P.
Shared Package
ML20214Q257	List: ML20214Q254 ML20214Q273
References
NUDOCS 8609240235
Download: ML20214Q254 (2)

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, l ,3D September 19, 1986 Mrs. Mary Sinclair 5711 Summerset Drive Midland, MI 48640

Dear Mrs. Sinclair:

This is a followup to my previous letter of July 30, 1986, and responds to your concern regarding cracks in the base mat slab of the Reactor Building at Fermi 2.

The NRC previously reviewed the base mat cracks as part of a 1979 allegation and as an evaluation of a report of a Construction Deficiency under s

Section 50.55(e) of the Commission's Regulations. Both these efforts concluded that the licensee's corrective action was adequate and that these cracks were not structurally significant. The pertinent sections of NRC Inspection Reports No. 50-341/75-01 and 50-341/79-04 are enclosed. Additionally, in 1982 the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board's initial decision found that "there is no credible evidence to support CEE's allegations concerning cracks in the base of the reactor building. .. . Therefore, we find Contention 4(e) to be without me ri t. " ,

Nonetheless, as I indicated in my .luly 30, 1986, letter, I decided to have the licensee and the architect-engineer reexamine the crack issue to assure that the concrete met its design intent including seismic considerations. The '

licensee's review reconfirmed previous determinations that the base mat concrete meets the design criteria, including all pertinent' seismic requirements.

The NRC monitored this reevaluation by the licen;.ee, and, in addition, we

, contracted with a concrete expert to independently review your concern. Our consultant has compic.ted his review and has concluded in sumary that "the base mat M11 carry the static and seismic loads, infiltration of ground water is very small and easily manageable, corrosion of reinforcing _ steel is essentially impossible, and exfiltration of water to the ground is impossible either in a pipe-break accident or a flood." A copy of the consultant's letter providing preliminary documentation of his efforts and results is attached for '

your information. A copy of his final report will be forwarded to you upon receipt in the near future.

Based on previous inspection findings, on the licensee's reevaluation, and the NRC consultant's findings, the NRC has concluded that the cracks in the Fermi Unit 2 base mat do not impair the base mat from carrying the design static and seismic loads. Further,.it has been determined that an earthquake similar to that of the Perry earthquake is well within the design considerations for a Fermi site-specific earthquake. ,

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Mrs. Mary Sinclair 2 September 19, 1986 I trust this is responsive to your concern. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jan Strasma of my staff.

Sincerely, James G. Keppler Regional Administrator

Attachment:

As stated cc w/ attachment:

Congressman John Dingell Governor James Blanchard Senator Don Riegle Senator Carl Levin Attorney General Frank Kelley Michael Keegan, Acting Director, SECO Sister Amata Millier, IHM H. R. Denton, Director, NRR J. M. Taylor, Director, IE OFC :R II :RIII .

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