Guideline on structural integrity assessment for reactor pressure vessel in domestic light water reactor based on probabilistic fracture mechanics

Lu, K. ; Katsuyama, Jinya  ; Takamizawa, Hisashi ; Li, Y. 

For reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) in the light water reactors, the fracture toughness decreases due to the neutron irradiation embrittlement with operating years. In Japan, to prevent RPVs from a nil-ductile fracture, deterministic fracture mechanics methods in accordance with the codes provided by the Japan Electric Association are performed for assessing the structural integrity of RPVs under the pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events by taking the neutron irradiation embrittlement into account. On the other hand, in recent years, probabilistic methodologies for PTS evaluation are introduced into regulations in the United States and some European countries. For example, in the United States, a PTS screening criterion related to the reference temperature based on the probabilistic method is stipulated. If the screening criterion is not satisfied, it is allowable to perform the evaluation based on the probabilistic method by calculating numerical index such as through-wall crack frequency (TWCF). In addition, the reduction of non-destructive examination extent or extension of examination intervals for RPV welds have been discussed based on the probabilistic method. Here, the probabilistic method is a structural integrity assessment method based on probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) which is rational in calculating the failure probability of components by considering uncertainties of various factors related to the aged degradation due to the long-term operation. Based on these backgrounds, we developed a PFM analysis code PASCAL and released a guideline on structural integrity assessment based on PFM by reflecting the latest knowledge and expertise in 2017. Here, the main analysis target was the RPV of pressurized water rector considering neutron irradiation embrittlement and PTS events in the structural integrity assessment of RPVs. The objective of the guideline is that persons who have knowledge on the fracture mechanics can carry out the PFM analyses and