Environmental Fatigue Analysis of nuclear components within the framework of INCEFA-SCALE project

Sergio Arrieta, Sergio Cicero, Kevin Mottershead, Román Cicero, Alec McLennan, Stephan Courtin, Zaiqing Que

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

INCENFA-SCALE is a five-year project funded by the EC Horizon2020 programme, successor of the INCEFA-PLUS project. INCEFA-SCALE started in October 2020. The objective of this project is to improve the capacity to predict the lifetime of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) components subjected to environmental assisted fatigue. The project starts off by analysing the existing data and then provides new environmentally assisted fatigue data which allow the laboratory test outcomes to be applied to components with real geometries and loads. So far, the data mining of different finished projects (INCEFA-PLUS, USNRC, EPRI, MHI and AdFaM) has been carried out, and test conditions for filling the knowledge gaps have been established. Moreover, the test matrix for 2022 has been defined. In this first phase, tests are focused on producing reference data, analysing complex waveforms (variable amplitude) and the effect of the surface finish. The next testing phases will focus on particular conditions: multi-axial tests, notches, stress/strain gradient effect and size effect. Furthermore, the microstructural analysis of common materials and a guideline for fatigue striation measurement on the fracture surface have been developed. This article provides an update on the project status and the advances made in data analysis, mechanical understanding and testing conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication23rd European Conference on Fracture, ECF 2022
EditorsPedro Moreira, Luis Reis
PublisherElsevier B.V.
Pages27-34
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781713870302
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event23rd European Conference on Fracture, ECF 2022 - Funchal, Portugal
Duration: 27 Jun 20221 Jul 2022

Publication series

NameProcedia Structural Integrity
Volume42
ISSN (Electronic)2452-3216

Conference

Conference23rd European Conference on Fracture, ECF 2022
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityFunchal
Period27/06/221/07/22

Keywords

  • environmentally assisted fatigue
  • long-term operation
  • nuclear power plants
  • pressurized water reactor
  • stainless steel

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