Objective
The overall objective of the project is to assess, optimise and develop the use of advanced tools for the structural integrity assessment of reactor coolant pressure boundary components (RCPB) relevant to ageing and life time management and to integrate the knowledge created in the project into mainstream nuclear industry assessment codes. Realistic failure models for some of the key components will be identified within the project based on the operators’ experience supported by an efficient knowledge management database system. The range of assessment tools considered will include those for assessment of component failure by advanced fracture mechanics analyses validated on small and large scale experiments, quantification of weld residual stresses by numerical analysis and by measurements, stress corrosion crack initiation/growth effects and assessment of RCPB components (excluding the reactor pressure vessel) under dynamic and seismic loading. Based on theoretical and experimental results, performance assessment and further development of simplified engineering assessment methods (EAM) will be carried out considering both deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Integrity assessment case studies and large scale demonstration experiments will be performed on Mock-ups of safety-relevant components. These will include a repair weld in an aged butt-welded austenitic pipe, a dissimilar narrow gap TIG weld (following the EPR design) and a cladded ferritic pipe. Moreover experiments on specimens and feature test pieces will be carried out to support the large scale Mock-up analyses. The end product of the project (“STYLE TOOLS”) will comprise best practice guidelines on the use of advanced tools, on improvement and qualification of EAM as a part of European Leak-before-break (LBB) procedures and on life time management of the integrity of RCPB components in European nuclear power plants. The project will interact with the European Network of Excellence NULIFE.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringstructural engineeringearthquake engineeringseismic loading
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesnuclear engineering
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsnumerical analysis
Call for proposal
FP7-Fission-2009
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Funding Scheme
CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research projectCoordinator
91052 Erlangen
Germany
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Participants (19)
GL43RS BARNWOOD
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75015 PARIS 15
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1049 Bruxelles / Brussel
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RG27 9UY BARTLEY WAY HOOK
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43022 VAROBACKA
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1525 BUDAPEST
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92400 Courbevoie
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1116 BUDAPEST
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BS8 1QU Bristol
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75008 Paris
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93420 VILLEPINTE
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0402 MIOVENI - ARGES
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80686 Munchen
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M13 9PL Manchester
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1755 LE Petten
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250 68 Husinec Rez
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1160 Bruxelles / Brussel
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28703 San Sebastian De Los Reyes - Madrid
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02044 VTT ESPOO
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