Improvement of probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis code PASCAL-SP with regard to PWSCC

Mano, Akihiro; Yamaguchi, Yoshihito; Katsuyama, Jinya; Li, Y.

Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science, 5(3), p.031505_1 - 031505_8, 2019/07

https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042115

Probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis is expected as a rational method for the structural integrity assessment because it can consider the uncertainties of various influence factors and can evaluate the quantitative value such as failure probability of a cracked component as the solution. In the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, a PFM analysis code PASCAL-SP has been developed for the structural integrity assessment of piping welds in nuclear power plants. In the latest few decades, a number of cracks due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) have been detected in the nickel-based alloy welds in the primary piping of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Thus the structural integrity assessment taking account of PWSCC has become important. In this paper, we improved PASCAL-SP for the assessment considering PWSCC by introducing the several analytical functions such as the evaluation models of crack initiation time, crack growth rate and probability of crack detection. By using improved PASCAL-SP, the failure probabilities of pipes with a circumferential crack or an axial crack due to PWSCC were evaluated as numerical examples. We also evaluated the influence of a leak detection and a non-destructive examination on the failure probabilities. On the basis of the numerical results, we concluded that the improved PASCAL-SP is useful for evaluating the failure probability of pipe taking PWSCC into account.

Study on sodium coolant loop-type reactor; Parametric study on maximum thermal stress depending on routing dimension of piping system

Tsukimori, Kazuyuki; Furuhashi, Ichiro*

JNC TN9400 2000-049, 93 Pages, 2000/03

JNC-TN9400-2000-049.pdf:2.82MB

lt is one of the important key points to reduce thermal stress of the primary piping system in the design of sodium coolant loop-type FBR plants. The objectives of this study are to understand the characteristics of the thermal stresses in the simple S-shaped hot leg piping systems which run from the outlet nozzle of the reactor vessel (R/V) to the inlet nozzle of the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX), and to propose some recommendable routings of piping systems. Results are summarized as follows. (1)Generally, the thermal stresses in elbows are severer than those at nozzles. The tendency was observed that the stress in elbow decreases with the increase of the distance between the outlet nozzle of R/V and the inlet nozzle of IHX and also the distance between the outlet nozzle of R/V and the liquid surface level. (2)lt is expected to reduce thermal stresses in elbow to big extent by adopting super 90 degree elbows. Therefore, in these cases the dimension region which satisfies the allowable stress is broad compared with that in the case of the conventional 90 degree elbow. (3)The stress estimations in elbow based on 'MITl notice No.501' become excessively large compared with the results by FEA using shell elements, when the maximum stress occurs at the end of elbow. ln these cases, the estimation can be rationalized by replacing the maximum stress by the mean of stresses at the end and at the middle of the elbow. (4)Two routings with 105 degree elbows are recommended. 0ne has the advantage from the view point of reduction of length of pipe and the other does from the view point of reduction of thermal stresses, compared with the routing with 90 degree elbows.