Team-Communication Modeling Framework for Multi-Unit Nuclear Power Plant Accident Analysis

Abstract

Featured Application: The modeling framework approach can be applied to analyze team communication in sociotechnical systems, and the modeling insights can be applied to improve the development of accident-training scenarios and task procedures/guidelines, the provision of required system/facility/tools, and the development of accident-management support systems in nuclear power plants. A multi-unit nuclear accident is an accident that damages the nuclear core and occurs in multiple units simultaneously in a nuclear power plant. Its massive consequences have triggered extensive studies on accident prevention and mitigation. In this study, we are interested in the emergency-response teams involved in multi-unit accident management. Multiple emergency-response teams need to interact with each other during multi-unit accident-management tasks, and the basis of team interactions is communication. Thus, we propose a team-communication modeling framework consisting of three models, i.e., a team-communication investigation model, process model, and performance-factor model. The methods used to develop each model are described. Also, an analysis methodology is provided to guide the application of the modeling framework, and a case study based on a multi-unit accident scenario is performed to confirm the feasibility of our study. The final results of the case study are four specialized models developed by applying the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM), each covering a specific scope of the accident scenario, with the functions and aspects elaborated to support team-communication analysis. Modeling insights are collected and can be applied to improve accident-training scenarios, procedure/guideline development, and accident-management support systems.