Benchmark analyses using probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis codes for reactor pressure vessels

Arai, Kensaku*; Katsuyama, Jinya  ; Li, Y. 

Probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis code PASCAL has been developed to assess structural integrity of aged reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) of light water nuclear power plants by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). PASCAL is able to obtain failure frequency such as through-wall cracking frequency (TWCF) of RPVs under several transients including pressurized thermal shock (PTS) event. On the other hand, FAVOR was developed to perform almost the same analysis by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) under United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) funding and has been utilized in the US nuclear regulation. To improve the reliability of PFM analysis results of PASCAL, benchmark analyses between PASCAL and FAVOR were performed. This paper provides results of the benchmark analyses using analysis conditions and parameters of the US 3-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses relating to differences of analysis models (ex. Embrittlement correlation model) between Japan and the US were also conducted.