Improvement of probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis code PASCAL-SP regarding stress corrosion cracking in nickel based alloy weld joint of piping system in boiling water reactor

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

In the past few decades, the cracks because of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) have been detected in the dissimilar weld joints welded using nickel based alloy in piping system of boiling water reactors. Thus, the structural integrity assessment for such weld joints has become important. Nowadays, probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis is recognized as a rational method for structural integrity assessment because it can consider inherent uncertainties of various influencing factors as probability distributions and quantitatively evaluate the failure probability of a cracked component. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed a PFM analysis code PASCAL-SP for a probabilistic structural integrity assessment of weld joint in pipe in nuclear power plant. This study improves the analysis functions of PASCAL-SP for weld joint welded using nickel based alloy in boiling water reactor susceptible to SCC. As an analysis example of the improved version of PASCAL-SP, the failure probability of a weld joint is quantitatively evaluated. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are conducted concerning the effect of leak detection and in-service inspection. From the analysis results, it is concluded that the improved version of PASCAL-SP is useful for structural integrity assessment.