Nuclear Energy News: ASME Evaluation Shows Next Generation Concrete Containment Vessels are Viable Alternative to Steel
Nuclear Energy News: ASME Evaluation Shows Next Generation Concrete Containment Vessels are Viable Alternative to Steel
NEW YORK (September 3, 2025) – Nuclear power plants provide a reliable source of energy around the globe, but construction of new concrete containments in the U.S. has been hampered by schedule delays and cost overruns, according to Boston Consulting Groupi and major news media. Although it is more expensive to build steel containment vessels, they are more widely used than concrete vessels because of their faster construction times. However, a recent evaluation of the viability of a novel concrete containment concept published by ASME Standards Technology, LLC (ASME ST-LLC) and sponsored by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) may change that.
“The findings from this evaluation will have major implications for advancing safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear power—including applications for small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors—helping to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions worldwide,” said Christopher Cantrell, ASME’s senior managing director of standards and engineering services.
Thomas Kang and Seung Heon Lee of the Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering at Seoul National University and Christopher Jones of the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University led the investigation into the viability of ultra high-performance concrete (UHPC) and state-of-the-art single strand high-density polyethylene (HDPE) greased-sheathed tendons for use in concrete containment vessels for nuclear power reactors. The researchers had oversight and input from the ASME Section III Division 2 / ACI 359 Joint committee on concrete containments.
“To keep concrete containments relevant and economically viable in the future, it is imperative to provide the industry with the next generation concrete containment (for both conventional and SMR) that offers a competitive advantage over steel in terms of cost, schedule and ease of construction,” the researchers wrote. “The need for concrete containment viability is two-fold. First concrete containments are an elegant choice in that the material and design concept is intrinsically suited for long-term operations due to non-degradability, the large thickness provides natural robustness for aircraft impact as well as radiation shielding, and the robust structure facilitates support for equipment cranes and pipe fixity. Second, for an efficient economic market, it is critical to have competition in technology to avoid monopoly and supply chain bottlenecks. In addition to the benefit provided to nuclear plant containments, this research will also benefit non-nuclear concrete pressure vessels.”
The research also identified several enhanced efficiency, sustainability and cost benefits of the new method of concrete construction, including:
This investigation is the second stage of a four-stage project. Several samples were produced and tested to failure, and analytical and computational analyses were conducted. To purchase the full ASME STP-NU-098 report, visit https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-standards/stpnu098-stp-nu-098-next-generation-concrete-containment-vessels?productKey=A3232Q.
The ASME Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, supports pioneering research that drives ASME’s mission to advance engineering for the benefit of humanity. Charitable donations to the ASME Foundation help fund initiatives that enable a safer, more productive, and sustainable future for everyone.
About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. In 2020, ASME formed the International Society of Interdisciplinary Engineers (ISIE) II & III LLC, a new for-profit subsidiary to house business ventures that will bring new and innovative products, services, and technologies to the engineering community. For more information, visit www.asme.org.
About ASME ST-LLC
ASME ST-LLC is a not-for-profit Limited Liability Company, with ASME as the sole member, formed in 2004 to carry out work related to new and developing technology. ASME ST-LLC’s mission includes meeting the needs of industry and government by providing new standards-related products and services, which advance the application of emerging and newly commercialized science and technology, and providing the research and technology development needed to establish and maintain the technical relevance of codes and standards. Visit http://asmestllc.org/ for more information.
Monica Shovlin
MCShovlin Communications LLC (for ASME)
monica@mcshovlin.com
+1.541.554.3796
ihttps://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/whats-holding-back-nuclear-in-the-west?
“The findings from this evaluation will have major implications for advancing safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear power—including applications for small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors—helping to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions worldwide,” said Christopher Cantrell, ASME’s senior managing director of standards and engineering services.
Thomas Kang and Seung Heon Lee of the Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering at Seoul National University and Christopher Jones of the Department of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University led the investigation into the viability of ultra high-performance concrete (UHPC) and state-of-the-art single strand high-density polyethylene (HDPE) greased-sheathed tendons for use in concrete containment vessels for nuclear power reactors. The researchers had oversight and input from the ASME Section III Division 2 / ACI 359 Joint committee on concrete containments.
“To keep concrete containments relevant and economically viable in the future, it is imperative to provide the industry with the next generation concrete containment (for both conventional and SMR) that offers a competitive advantage over steel in terms of cost, schedule and ease of construction,” the researchers wrote. “The need for concrete containment viability is two-fold. First concrete containments are an elegant choice in that the material and design concept is intrinsically suited for long-term operations due to non-degradability, the large thickness provides natural robustness for aircraft impact as well as radiation shielding, and the robust structure facilitates support for equipment cranes and pipe fixity. Second, for an efficient economic market, it is critical to have competition in technology to avoid monopoly and supply chain bottlenecks. In addition to the benefit provided to nuclear plant containments, this research will also benefit non-nuclear concrete pressure vessels.”
The research also identified several enhanced efficiency, sustainability and cost benefits of the new method of concrete construction, including:
- The addition of steel fibers to enhance concrete tensile capacity and address impulse/impact loads
- Use of conventional rebar can be minimized/eliminated to reduce field labor needs and job site congestion
- Liner plate can be eliminated or minimized around penetrations to take advantage of crack-free concrete under compression
- Slip form construction and 3D printing are possible with concrete, which can automate and speed up vessel construction.
This investigation is the second stage of a four-stage project. Several samples were produced and tested to failure, and analytical and computational analyses were conducted. To purchase the full ASME STP-NU-098 report, visit https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/find-codes-standards/stpnu098-stp-nu-098-next-generation-concrete-containment-vessels?productKey=A3232Q.
The ASME Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, supports pioneering research that drives ASME’s mission to advance engineering for the benefit of humanity. Charitable donations to the ASME Foundation help fund initiatives that enable a safer, more productive, and sustainable future for everyone.
About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. In 2020, ASME formed the International Society of Interdisciplinary Engineers (ISIE) II & III LLC, a new for-profit subsidiary to house business ventures that will bring new and innovative products, services, and technologies to the engineering community. For more information, visit www.asme.org.
About ASME ST-LLC
ASME ST-LLC is a not-for-profit Limited Liability Company, with ASME as the sole member, formed in 2004 to carry out work related to new and developing technology. ASME ST-LLC’s mission includes meeting the needs of industry and government by providing new standards-related products and services, which advance the application of emerging and newly commercialized science and technology, and providing the research and technology development needed to establish and maintain the technical relevance of codes and standards. Visit http://asmestllc.org/ for more information.
###
Media Contact:Monica Shovlin
MCShovlin Communications LLC (for ASME)
monica@mcshovlin.com
+1.541.554.3796
ihttps://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/whats-holding-back-nuclear-in-the-west?
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