Fracture mechanics evaluation using PASCAL3 for current structural integrity assessment method for reactor pressure vessel

Nishikawa, Hiroyuki*; Masaki, Koichi*; Katsuyama, Jinya  ; Onizawa, Kunio 

Probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis code PASCAL3 has been developed at JAEA to support the validation of the codes and standards which provide the structural integrity assessment method of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) during pressurized thermal shock. Previous version of PASCAL2 has many functions including the evaluation method for an embedded crack, PTS transient database, non-destructive inspection models. This code has been improved mainly focusing on cladding on the inner surface of RPV. Using the PASCAL3 code, effects of the initiation and growth model for a surface flaw have been analyzed to determine the standard condition of PASCAL3. Deterministic and probabilistic evaluation using PASCAL3 for current structural integrity assessment method for RPV has also been conducted. The results show that the consideration of warm pre-stress effect decreases the conditional probability