Abstract
An approach has been developed that predicts leak and rupture probabilities of reactor piping in a structured parametric format. This approach applies the probabilistic fracture mechanics code pc-PRAISE (Piping Reliability Analysis Including Seismic Events) to address mechanical and thermal fatigue life of stainless steel piping. The approach has permitted piping reliability to be evaluated for a large number of welds and fittings in a reactor piping system without performing detailed Monte Carlo simulations for each component of interest. The underlying probabilistic fracture mechanics model calculates the growth of pre-existing cracks due to cyclic loads assuming that the number and sizes of the flaws and the rates of crack growth can be described by statistical distributions. The model also predicts the reduction in failure rates due to preservice and inservice inspections. Applications of the model to the low pressure injection system of a pressurized water reactor are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 117-125 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP |
| Volume | 288 |
| State | Published - 1994 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1994 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Part 2 (of 19) - Minneapolis, MN, USA Duration: Jun 19 1994 → Jun 23 1994 |