Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a094549d-8685-4dad-b90f-c28c7d279a53
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Geologic and Geotechnical Site Characterization Investigations for Nuclear Power Plants + HISTORY – HISTORY 08/2021 – DG-1392 , Proposed Revision 3 07/2014 – Periodic Review of Revision 2 – Reviewed with no issues identified 02/2001 – DG-1101 , Proposed Revision 2 (Rev. 3)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2119/ML21194A176.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-05
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.132
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
data collected will depend on variability of the soil and rock materials and the safety-related importance of structures planned for a particular site location. Well-conducted site investigations can save time and money by reducing problems in licensing and construction. The site investigations described in this RG are closely related to those in RG 1.208. The main purpose of that RG is to define the site-specific, performance-based ground motion response spectrum in order to determine the safe-shutdown earthquake ground motion based on information derived from geologic, geotechnical, geophysical, and seismic investigations. Appendix C, “Investigations to Characterize Site Geology, Seismology and Geophysics,” to RG 1.208 gives guidance on the appropriate information needed to identify and characterize seismic source zone parameters and assess the potential for surface fault rupture and associated deformation at the site for use in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses. It is worthwhile to point out that good site investigations have the added benefit of saving time and money by reducing problems in licensing and construction. A case study report on geotechnical investigations by the National Research Council (Ref. 12), for example, concludes that additional geotechnical information would almost always save time and costs. Consideration of International Standards The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) works with member states and other partners to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The IAEA develops Safety Requirements and Safety Guides for protecting people and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This system of safety fundamentals, safety requirements, safety guides, and other relevant reports reflects an international perspective on what constitutes a high level of safety. To inform its development of this RG, the NRC considered IAEA Safety Requirements and Safety Guides under the Commission’s