The Significance of Recent Developments in Fracture Mechanics In Great Britain In Relation To The Safety Of Reactor Pressure Vessels

2009 ◽  
pp. 429-429-9
Author(s):  
W. H. Irvine
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Verification of Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis Code for Reactor Pressure Vessel

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Koichi Masaki ◽  
Shotaro Hayashi ◽  
Yu Itabashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Irradiation Embrittlement ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Integrity Assessments ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Abstract Nowadays, it has been recognized that probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is a promising methodology in structural integrity assessments of aged pressure boundary components of nuclear power plants, because it can rationally represent the influencing parameters in their inherent probabilistic distributions without over conservativeness. A PFM analysis code PFM analysis of structural components in aging light water reactor (PASCAL) has been developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency to evaluate the through-wall cracking frequencies of domestic reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) considering neutron irradiation embrittlement and pressurized thermal shock (PTS) transients. In addition, efforts have been made to strengthen the applicability of PASCAL to structural integrity assessments of domestic RPVs against nonductile fracture. A series of activities has been performed to verify the applicability of PASCAL. As a part of the verification activities, a working group was established with seven organizations from industry, universities, and institutes voluntarily participating as members. Through one-year activities, the applicability of PASCAL for structural integrity assessments of domestic RPVs was confirmed with great confidence. This paper presents the details of the verification activities of the working group, including the verification plan, approaches, and results.

Verification of Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis Code PASCAL Through Benchmark Analyses With FAVOR

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Shumpei Uno ◽  
Jinya Katsuyama ◽  
Terry Dickson ◽  
Mark Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Japan Atomic Energy Agency ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Benchmark Analysis ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Pressurized Thermal Shock ◽  
Great Confidence ◽  
Reactor Pressure

A probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis code called PASCAL has been developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency to evaluate failure frequencies of Japanese reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) during pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events based on Japanese data and Japanese methods published for or provided in Japanese codes and standards. To verify this code, benchmark analyses were carried out using the FAVOR code, which was developed in the United States and has been utilized in nuclear regulation. The results of these analyses confirmed with great confidence the applicability of PASCAL to failure probability and frequency evaluation of Japanese RPVs. An outline of PASCAL, the benchmark analysis conditions and analysis results are reported in this paper.

NESC-VII: Fracture Mechanics Analyses of WPS Experiments on Large-Scale Cruciform Specimen

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjun Yin ◽  
Paul T. Williams ◽  
B. Richard Bass
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Cooperative Action ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Feasibility Test ◽  
Reactor Pressure

This paper describes numerical analyses performed to simulate warm pre-stress (WPS) experiments conducted with large-scale cruciform specimens within the Network for Evaluation of Structural Components (NESC-VII) project. NESC-VII is a European cooperative action in support of WPS application in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) integrity assessment. The project aims in evaluation of the influence of WPS when assessing the structural integrity of RPVs. Advanced fracture mechanics models will be developed and performed to validate experiments concerning the effect of different WPS scenarios on RPV components. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA contributes to the Work Package-2 (Analyses of WPS experiments) within the NESC-VII network. A series of WPS type experiments on large-scale cruciform specimens have been conducted at CEA Saclay, France, within the framework of NESC VII project. This paper first describes NESC-VII feasibility test analyses conducted at ORNL. Very good agreement was achieved between AREVA NP SAS and ORNL. Further analyses were conducted to evaluate the NESC-VII WPS tests conducted under Load-Cool-Transient-Fracture (LCTF) and Load-Cool-Fracture (LCF) conditions. This objective of this work is to provide a definitive quantification of WPS effects when assessing the structural integrity of reactor pressure vessels. This information will be utilized to further validate, refine, and improve the WPS models that are being used in probabilistic fracture mechanics computer codes now in use by the NRC staff in their effort to develop risk-informed updates to Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, Appendix G.

Verification of Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis Code Through Benchmark Analyses

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Shumpei Uno ◽  
Koichi Masaki ◽  
Jinya Katsuyama ◽  
Terry Dickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Irradiation Embrittlement ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Failure Frequency ◽  
Pressurized Thermal Shock ◽  
Great Confidence ◽  
Reactor Pressure

A probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis code PASCAL has been developed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency based on Japanese methods and data to evaluate failure probabilities and failure frequencies of Japanese reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) considering pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events and neutron irradiation embrittlement. To verify PASCAL, we have been performing benchmark analyses by using a PFM code FAVOR which has been developed in the United States and utilized in nuclear regulation. Based on two-year activities, the applicability of PASCAL in failure probability and failure frequency evaluation of Japanese RPVs was confirmed with great confidence. The analysis conditions, approaches and results are given in this paper.

scholarly journals Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Round Robin Analysis of Reactor Pressure Vessels during Pressurized Thermal Shock

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1131-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung Jo JHUNG ◽  
Seok Hun KIM ◽  
Young Hwan CHOI ◽  
Yoon Suk CHANG ◽  
Xiangyuan XU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Thermal Shock ◽  
Round Robin ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Pressurized Thermal Shock ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Evaluations That Consider Nozzles in the Extended Beltline Region of Reactor Pressure Vessels

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary L. Stevens ◽  
Mark T. Kirk ◽  
Terry Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Stress Concentrations ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Regulatory Issue ◽  
Reactor Pressure

For many years, ASME Section XI committees have discussed the assessment of nozzle penetrations in various flaw evaluations for reactor pressure vessels (RPVs). As summarized in Reference [1], linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) solutions for nozzle penetrations have been in use since the 1970s. In 2013, one of these solutions was adopted into ASME Code, Section XI, Nonmandatory Appendix G (ASME App. G) [2] for use in developing RPV pressure-temperature (P-T) operating limits. That change to ASME App. G was based on compilation of past work [3] and additional evaluations of fracture driving force [4][5]. To establish the P-T limits on RPV operation, consideration should be given to both the RPV shell material with the highest reference temperature as well as regions of the RPV (e.g., nozzles, flange) that contain structural discontinuities. In October 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) highlighted these requirements in Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2014-11 [6]. Probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analyses performed to support pressurized thermal shock (PTS) evaluations using the Fracture Analysis Vessels Oak Ridge (FAVOR) computer code [7] currently evaluate only the RPV beltline shell regions. These evaluations are based on the assumption that the PFM results are controlled by the higher embrittlement characteristic of the shell region rather than the stress concentration characteristic of the nozzle, which does not experience nearly the embrittlement of the shell due to its greater distance from the core. To evaluate this assumption, the NRC and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) performed PFM analyses to quantify the effect of these stress concentrations on the results of the RPV PFM analyses. This paper summarizes the methods and evaluates the results of these analyses.

Effect of Cladding Residual Stress Modeling Technique on Shallow Flaw Stress Intensity Factor in a Reactor Pressure Vessel

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Kusnick ◽  
Mark Kirk ◽  
B. Richard Bass ◽  
Paul Williams ◽  
Terry Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Stress Intensity Factor ◽  
Stress Intensity ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Intensity Factor ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Temperature Model ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Prior probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) subjected to normal cool-down transients has shown that shallow, internal surface-breaking flaws dominate the RPV failure probability. This outcome is caused by the additional crack driving force generated near the clad interface due to the mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the cladding and base material, which elevates the thermally induced stresses. The CTE contribution decreases rapidly away from the cladding, making this effect negligible for deeper flaws. The probabilistic fracture mechanics code FAVOR (Fracture Analysis of Vessels, Oak Ridge) uses a stress-free temperature model to account for residual stresses in the RPV wall due to the cladding application process. This paper uses finite element analysis to compare the stresses and stress intensity factor during a cool-down transient for two cases: (1) the existing stress-free temperature model adopted for use in FAVOR, and (2) directly applied RPV residual stresses obtained from empirical measurements made at room temperature. It was found that for a linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis, the application of measured room temperature stresses resulted in a 10% decrease in the peak stress intensity factor during a cool-down transient as compared to the stress-free temperature model.

An Improved Method for Postulating Fabrication Flaws in Reactor Pressure Vessels for Structural Integrity Evaluation

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Simonen ◽  
T. L. Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Inner Surface ◽  
Reactor Pressure

This paper presents an improved model for postulating fabrication flaws in reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) and for the treatment of measured flaw data by probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) codes that are used for structural integrity evaluations. The model used to develop the current pressurized thermal shock (PTS) regulations conservatively postulated that all fabrication flaws were inner-surface breaking flaws. To reduce conservatisms and uncertainties in flaw-related inputs, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) has supported research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) that has resulted in data on fabrication flaws from non-destructive and destructive examinations of actual RPV material. Statistical distributions have been developed to characterize the number and sizes of flaws in the various material regions of a vessel. The regions include the main seam welds, repair welds, base metal of plates and forgings, and the cladding that is applied to the inner surface of the vessel. Flaws are also characterized as being located within the interior of these regions or along the weld fusion lines that join the regions. Flaws are taken that occur at random locations relative to the embrittled inner region of the vessel. The probabilistic fracture mechanics model associates each of the simulated flaw types with the fracture properties of the region being addressed.

Stress Intensity Factor Influence Coefficients for External Surface Flaws in Boiling Water Reactor Pressure Vessels

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjun Yin ◽  
Terry L. Dickson ◽  
Paul T. Williams ◽  
B. Richard Bass
Keyword(s):  
Stress Intensity Factor ◽  
Stress Intensity ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Intensity Factor ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Water Reactor ◽  
Influence Coefficients ◽  
Surface Flaws ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Over the service life of a nuclear power plant, the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) may undergo many cool-down and heat-up thermal-hydraulic transients associated with, for example, scheduled refueling outages and other normal operational transients, or even possible overcooling transients. These thermal-hydraulic events can act on postulated surface flaws in BWRs and therefore impose potential risk on the structure integrity of Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs). Internal surface flaws are of interest for the BWRs under overcooling accidental scenarios, while external surface flaws are more vulnerable when the BWRs are subjected to heat-up transients. Stress Intensity Factor Influence Coefficient (SIFIC) databases for application to linear elastic fracture mechanics analyses of BWR pressure vessels which typically have an internal radius to wall thickness ratio (Ri/t) between 15 and 20 were developed for external surface breaking flaws. This paper presents three types of surface flaws necessary in fracture analyses of BWRs: (1) finite-length external surface flaws with aspect ratio of 2, 6, and 10. (2) infinite-length axial external surface flaws; and (3) 360° circumferential external surface flaws. These influence coefficients have been implemented and validated in the FAVOR fracture mechanics code developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Although these SIFIC databases were developed in application to RPVs subjected to thermal-hydraulic transients, they could also be applied to RPVs under other general loading conditions.

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