Document: NUREG-0800
Document ID: 74980693-f1d2-4f59-a418-b297e1cc6509
Document Type: srp
Title: SURFACE FAULTING
Source: NUREG-0800
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0707/ML070730597.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 2
Section ID: 2.5.3
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
tectonic structure (i.e., a known capable tectonic feature related to a fault or blind fault) must be taken into account at the site location. It is important to note that no commercial nuclear power plant has ever been constructed on a known capable tectonic deformation feature, and it is questionable whether it may be feasible to design for surface or near-surface tectonic displacements with any degree of confidence that safety-related plant features would remain intact and functional if displacements were to occur. Consequently, it is NRC policy to recommend that any site determined, based on results of detailed fault investigations, to lie on a surface or near-surface tectonic structure capable of displacement be prudently re-located to an alternate site by the applicant. If it becomes feasible in the future to design for surface or near-surface faulting with confidence that safety-related plant features would remain intact and functional should displacements occur, it would be necessary for an applicant to present the design basis for faulting and all supporting data in a high degree of detail. Technical Rationale The technical rationale for application of these acceptance criteria to the areas of review addressed by this SRP section is discussed in the following paragraphs: GDC 2, or 10 CFR 52.17(a)(1)(vi) for ESP applications, require consideration of the most severe of the natural phenomena. 10 CFR 100.23(c) requires that the geologic and seismic characteristics of the site and its environs be investigated in sufficient scope and detail to permit an adequate evaluation of the proposed site; provide sufficient information to support estimates of the Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) ground motion; and permit adequate engineering solutions to actual or potential geologic and seismic effects at the proposed site. The site- specific GMRS satisfies the requirements of 10 CFR 100.23 with respect to the development of the SSE. 10 CFR 100.23(c) further specifies that