Survey of European Fast Fracture procedures and requirements
The European Commission, DG XI, has published an invitation to tender for the completion of a survey of European Fast Fracture procedures and requirements related to the structural integrity of the reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) of light-water reactor (LWR) comparative analyses for harmonization purposes. The main objective of the project is to identify common and dissimilar features from Fast Fracture assessment procedures, as applicable to reactor components in the EU countries and RF, in order to establish provisions for a European harmonization of codes and standards. The study will encompass LWRs, including VVER reactors. The project covers the following main areas: - a) Description of the regulatory context; - b) Codes and standards: presentation of the rules and practical application; - c) Practical application to the RPV beltline; - d) Benchmark exercise; - e) Assessment of specific items such as criteria and margins, warm pre-stress effect, harmonization of plastic corrections, consideration of the plume cooling phenomenon and screening criteria. The study should be completed within 24 months of the signature of the contract. Tenderers must have demonstrable background in structural integrity analysis of NPP primary components, codes and standards applicable, and safety assessments. Requests for documentary material (tender notice dossier) should be sent to: European Commission DG XI - Environment, nuclear safety and civil protection Unit XI/C-2 - Safety of nuclear installations Att. Mr. B. Sinnott - DG XI-3 200 rue de la Loi (TRMF 4/88) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2994449 Completed tenders should be sent to the same address.