Seismological and Earthquake Engineering Project Experience
Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant, Korea – 2006-2007
In December 2006 Dr. Rowlands traveled to Korea to assess the capability of a fault located within 1.5 km of the site of four existing nuclear power units and two units proposed for the Shin Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant Project. He determined that the fault is capable based on Nuclear Regulatory Commission Guidance. He suggested various actions to assess the impact of both fault offset and the generation of a significant near-field earthquake. The assessment is currently being conducted by a Korean engineering firm.
Nuclear Power Projects, Southeastern US
Dr. Rowlands is providing geological, seismological, and faulting services for five nuclear power facilities in the southeast US. These are the Harris, Lee, Summers, Vogtle, and Levy sites.
Lone Star Pipeline, Texas – 2001
Dr. Rowlands was the technical manager and lead investigator for an earthquake assessment for the conversion of the Longhorn Pipeline. The Lone Star Pipeline transported crude oil from New Mexico and west Texas to Houston. It is being converted to a product pipeline that will move gasoline from Houston, through El Paso, and eventually to California. Permitting required an analysis of risk for both earthquakes and surface faulting. The work included development of an earthquake history for Texas and surrounding states, seismic zonation and development of seismic zones and tectonic provinces, determination of the maximum credible earthquake, and calculating maximum ground accelerations to be expected from the maximum creditable earthquake in each tectonic region. He analyzed the seismic risk for various tectonic provinces in Texas and New Mexico. He assessed the risk associated with aseismic growth faults in the coastal plain, analyzed the potential for capable faults within the Balcones Fault System, and analyzed seismicity and faulting potential in the somewhat tectonically active area of the Rio Grande Rift.
Purity Oil Sales Site, California – 1997
Dr. Rowlands established seismic design criteria, including determination of a maximum creditable earthquake and expected ground motion for a landfill cap design for the Purity Oil Sales Superfund site, Fresno, California.
CECOS International, New York – 1988
Dr. Rowlands conducted a site investigation for chemical waste landfill permit for CECOS International facility in Niagara Falls, New York. This project included subsurface geology, characterization of the site hydrogeologic setting, installation of groundwater monitoring wells, pumping test and analysis, seismicity analysis and evaluation for potential Holocene faulting, client meetings, meetings with clients outside council, and preparation of expert witness testimony.
BFI Landfill, New York – 1988
Dr. Rowlands conducted a capable fault investigation for an industrial waste disposal facility in western New York. The New York Department of Environmental Quality and local environmental groups claimed there was evidence that a fault existed beneath the site and the fault offset glacial sediments of Late Wisconsin Age. His detailed analysis of both the stratigraphy and local geology proved that the long linear subsurface feature was, in fact, a buried glacial valley and that there was no offset on either side of the valley. Irregularities in the glacial stratigraphy were related to depositional factors.
Savannah River Plant, South Carolina - 1975-1980
Dr. Rowlands had technical responsibility and was the lead scientist for geological and seismological evaluations for nuclear processing facilities, including the Defense Waste Processing Facility, at the Savannah River Plant, SC. Work included regional and site geology, regional and local seismological investigations, analysis of ground motion from historical earthquakes, development of seismic design criteria, and evaluation of post-Cretaceous faults in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. He supervised all site geotechnical work, including drilling, soil sampling, rock coring, pressure testing, and well installation. This included supervision of a field crew of 30 engineers and scientists and all subcontractors. He prepared the geology and seismology portions of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR), and made presentations to clients (DuPont and DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, Pakistan - 1975-1978
Dr. Rowlands performed the geological and seismological investigations for the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, Pakistan. This work included development of an historical earthquake list, investigations of recent (capable) faulting along the margins of the Indus Basin, and regional and local seismological investigations. Other aspects of the work included relocation studies of local earthquakes, assessment of liquefaction potential, development of seismic design criteria, and preparation of the geology and seismology sections of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR). He directed meetings with clients and made presentations to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Radwaste Site Selection, U.S. – 1977
Assessment of geological, seismological, and hydrogeological site selection factors for high level radioactive waste disposal sites and development of conceptual geologic and hydrogeologic models for candidate repository areas. Work resulted in selection of Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) site, Carlsbad, NM
Recycle Plutonium Fuels Plant, South Carolina - 1973-1977
Dr. Rowlands performed geological and seismological investigations for a proposed plutonium fuels plant in Anderson, SC. The work included regional geological and seismological investigations, establishment of seismic design criteria, and analysis of LANDSAT imagery. He supervised all site geotechnical work, including drilling, soil sampling, rock coring, pressure testing, and well installation. He prepared the geology and seismology portions of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report and was responsible for all geoscience related aspects of plant licensing. He made presentations to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at licensing hearings.
ENEL VI Nuclear Power Plant, Italy - 1976-1977
Dr. Rowlands performed the site geologic analysis, including structure and stratigraphy for the ENEL VI nuclear power plant, Tarquinia, Italy. The work was done in an effort to assess the presence of solution cavities in bedded gypsum and gypsiferous clay and analyze their potential adverse affects. Part of the work included conducting a finite element analysis of solution cavities to assess there behavior during the maximum credible earthquake. The results of the analysis indicated the potential for subsurface failure and it was recommended that the site be abandoned.
Fifth Steel Works, Italy – 1978
Dr. Rowlands performed the geological and seismological analysis for the 5th Steel Works, Gioia Tauro, Italy. This work included analysis of recent and historic earthquakes, including the Messina Earthquake of 1908, analysis of Holocene faulting along the southwest coast of Italy, and the identification of earthquake induced landslides in southern Italy. He prepared reports of the investigations and made technical presentations to the client.
Ko-Ri Nuclear Power Plant, Units 3, 4, 5, and 6, Korea - 1978-1981
Dr. Rowlands either performed or supervised the geological and seismological investigations for Units 3, 4, 5, and 6, Ko-Ri Nuclear Power Complex, Pusan, Korea. This work included regional and site investigations, analysis of seismicity, and development of seismic design criteria and investigations of capable faulting. He supervised the preparation of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Reports and made presentations to the Korean Electric Company, Korean Atomic Energy Commission, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Ko-Ri Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2, Korea – 1978
While excavating for the foundations for the reactor and turbine buildings a fault was detected in the turbine building excavation for Unit 2. Unit 1, adjacent Unit 2, was in start-up. Dr. Rowlands performed detailed geologic mapping of the excavations (1 inch=10 feet) and identified several faults and igneous intrusions present in the excavations. One fault, however, cut all other faults and intrusions. It was the youngest feature and extended beneath Unit 1. The fault appeared to be capable according to definitions of both the NRC and IAEA. Work for Unit 1 had been done by another consultant. Dr. Rowlands identified the presence of undeformed zeolite mineral pods within the fault zone. Radiometric dates (6 samples) returned ages of approximately 1.2 million years before present. This information indicated that the faults were not capable and work proceeded with Unit 2.
Caspian Coast, Iran – 1976
Dr. Rowlands was a member of a team performing geological and seismological analysis for site selection and site investigations for power plants along the Caspian Sea, from Rasht to Gorgan. The work included geologic mapping, analysis of fault capability, seismic zonation studies, and analysis of results from a ten unit microseismic network.
Kyrsko Nuclear Power Plant, Croatia (former Yugoslavia) – 1974
As a consultant to Westinghouse Power Systems Division, Dr. Rowlands performed a geological, seismological and seismic design review for the Kyrsko Nuclear Power Plant, Yugoslavia (Croatia). The project included literature reviews, review of earthquake history, and review of the basis for selection of the design earthquake and the assessment of the peak ground acceleration for the foundation design. Dr. Rowlands participated in design review meetings with Westinghouse, the IAEA, seismologists from the University of Skopje, and officials of the Yugoslav Power Agency.
Kaiserhaust Nuclear Power Plant, Switzerland – 1975
As a consultant to Westinghouse Power Systems Division, Dr. Rowlands performed a geological, seismological and seismic design review for the Kaiserhaust Nuclear Power Plant, Switzerland. The project included literature reviews, review of earthquake history, and review of the basis for selection of the design earthquake and the assessment of the peak ground acceleration for the foundation design.
Tyrone Energy Park Nuclear Power Plant, Wisconsin - 1973-1979
Dr. Rowlands performed all site related work, including site stratigraphic analysis, drilling and subsurface sampling and testing, regional seismic analysis, seismotectonic analysis, establishment of the seismic design criteria for the foundation design and was responsible for all geoscience related licensing requirements and presentation of licensing amendments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In addition Dr. Rowlands has conducted regional power plant site selection projects in Oklahoma, Spain, and Korea. He has performed detailed seismic design reviews for Veterans Administration hospitals in southeastern United States and Puerto Rico, the Islote Nuclear Power Plant, Puerto Rico, Valdecaballeros and Regadola Nuclear Power Plants, Spain, and a capable faulting study for the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), New York.