Project description
Better prediction of nuclear plant component lifetimes
Effective methods for predicting component lifetimes are needed to ensure that nuclear power plants operate safely and reliably. Component-scale environmental fatigue tests are expected to advance these methods. However, limited test data restricts the transferability of laboratory-scale tests to real component geometries and loadings. To address this challenge, the EU-funded INCEFA-SCALE project intends to enhance the ability to predict the lifetimes of nuclear plant components when they are subjected to environmentally-assisted fatigue. It will therefore develop a comprehensive understanding by examining test specimens in detail and conducting data mining. It will also test specific aspects of component-scale cyclic loading. The project will contribute to the advanced prediction of nuclear power plant component lifetimes.
Objective
The objective is to continue work, advancing ability to predict lifetimes of Nuclear Plant components when subjected to Environmental Assisted Fatigue loading. Over the five years proposed for INCEFA-SCALE, EPRI in the USA is leading a series of component scale environmental fatigue tests. These are expected to advance data availability significantly; however, advances in addressing transferability of laboratory scale tests to real component geometries and loadings will still be constrained by limited test data. This knowledge gap is recognised worldwide as significant.
INCEFA-SCALE will generate significantly increased understanding of the transferability of laboratory scale test data to component scale. The project strategy will be (1) the development of comprehensive mechanistic understanding developed through detailed examination of test specimens and MatDB data mining, and (2) testing focussed on particular aspects of component scale cyclic loading. Examples of tests possible include, uniaxial specimens with notches (to address complex loads), membrane tests (to address biaxiality), thermo-mechanical tests (to address thermal cycling and thermal gradient effects), and complex wave tests (to address real plant transient effects). The project will begin by “data mining” to extract maximum understanding from the vast amount of test data within JRC’s MatDB database (from the predecessor INCEFA-PLUS project, and from other external sources such as USNRC, EPRI, MHI and the AdFaM project). In parallel the test program needs will be agreed. Testing will commence after one year and run for 3 years. Finally, the project will deliver guidance on use of laboratory scale data for component scales.
Industrial support, is demonstrated by over €3M matching funds and positive endorsements from EPRI, ENEN and NUGENIA. EC support will enable maximum consistency and coordination of testing and assessment.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-Euratom - Euratom Main Programme
- H2020-Euratom-1. - Indirect actions
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
WA16 8QZ Knutsford
United Kingdom