Rolls-Royce turns to aseismic bearings to make earthquake-proof reactor

Rolls-Royce SMR is enhancing the safety of its small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) design by incorporating aseismic bearings to protect against earthquake risks. These bearings, composed of layered rubber pads or sliding surfaces, decouple the reactor structure from ground motion during seismic events, absorbing energy and reducing structural accelerations to prevent collapse. This technology, already used in critical infrastructure like hospitals and large nuclear plants, will be adapted for the SMR to address the inherent seismic risks despite the reactor’s smaller size. To advance this initiative, Rolls-Royce SMR has partnered with Skanska, a leading construction and project development firm, to fabricate a prototype aseismic bearing pedestal at Skanska’s Doncaster facility in the UK. This collaboration aims to standardize the bearing design across various geotechnical and seismic conditions, supporting Rolls-Royce’s modular, fleet-based approach to SMR construction. Rolls-Royce SMR is the preferred bidder for the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR