AXIOMATIC DESIGN ASPECT OF THE FUKUSHIMA-1 ACCIDENT: ELECTRICAL CONTROL INTERFERES WITH ALL MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS

The independence axiom recommends independence among all functional requirements. Modern machines, however, are all driven by electrical power and follow commands from computers with algorithms dependent on instrumentation signals; electrical functions interfere with all mechanical functional requirements. Moreover, a typical machine loses its entire function when its single electrical system fails. The Fukushima-1 accident followed this exact scenario; the tsunami destroyed all power supplies and switchboards, then all pumps and valves turned inoperable from the control room. Delayed counteractions led to a loss of cooling functions and eventually to core damage. This interference is a fundamental design problem with modern machines.