The Paton Welding Journal, 2000, №09

2000 №09 (06)

2000 №09 (08)

---

The Paton Welding Journal, 2000, #9, 39-44 pages

Application of leak-before-break concept for provision of the safety of WWER-1000 type reactors

A.S. Zubchenko¹, G.S. Vasilchenko¹, Yu.G. Dragunov²

¹SRC TsNIITMASh, Moscow, Russia
²«Gidropress» EDTB, Podolsk, Russia

Abstract
A program of R&D on substantiation of applicability of leak-before-break concept to nuclear reactor piping has been outlined and fulfilled. J-R curves measured on full-scale samples cut out of a welded pipe with the working cross-section of 70 by 250 mm with through-thickness and semi-elliptical cracks in the circumferential weld metal were compared with similar curves derived on ST-1T compact samples. It is found that the parameters of plastic fracture toughness measured on ST-1T samples are characterised by a higher level of reliability compared to those of full-scale samples.
Keywords: reactor, strength, weld, crack, cyclic crack resistance, piping safety.

References

1. Vasilchenko, G.S., Artemiev, V.I., Merinov, G.N. et al. (1995) The nature of thickness pipe element testing to validate the application of LBB concept. In: Transact, of LBB-25.1. Lion.
2. (1985) GOST 25-506-85. Calculations and strength testing. Methods of mechanical testing of metals. Determination of the characteristics of crack resistance (fracture toughness) at static loading. Approv. on 01.01.85.
3. Kanaweera, M.P., Leckie, F.A. (1982) J-integralsfor same crack and notch geometry. Int. J. Fracture, 18, 3 - 18.
4. Kummar, V., German, M.D., Shin, C.F. (1981) An engineering approach, for elastic fracture analysis. California.
5. Garwood, S.J. (1979) A method of estimating the value of JR (the value of J for propagating crack) from a single specimen. Int. J. Fracture, 12, 18-21.
6. Takahashi, Y. (1987) Ductile cracks growth test for surface cracked plates of carbon steel STS42. Criepi Report, 5, 35.
7. Yagawa, G., Ueda, H., Takahashi, Y. (1986) Kiunerical and experimental study on ductile fracture of plate with surface crack. ASME PVP, 103. 43 - 48.
8. Adams, N.H., Garwood, S.J., Robinson, J.M. (1985) Llasto plastic fracture mechanics applied to the safety as sessment of nuclear power station. In: Transact, of 8th Int. Conf, on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology.
9. (1993) M-TPR-93. Procedure of calculation of UPP piping in terms of «leak-beforc-break» concept. Moscow.
10. Vasilchenko, G.S . Vasnin, A.M., Gel manchuk, A.V. et al. (1994) Investigation of fracture resistance characteristics of the weld metal of 10GN2MFA steel. Tyazh. Mashinostroyeniye, 11 - 12, 19-29.
11. Kiselyov, V.A., Rivkin, E.Ju., Smirnov, Y.I. et al. (1994) Application of leak-before-break concept to integrity and safety of PWR primary piping with WWER 1000. Nud. Eng. and Design, 151, 400 - 424.
12. Milne, I., Dinsworth, R.A., Dowling, A.K. et al. (1986) Assessment of the integrity of structures containing defects. In: CEGB Report R/H/R6, Rev. 3. UK.
13. (1984) Evaluation of potential for pipe break. In: The Pipe. Break Group. Report of the US Unclear Regulatory Commission, Piping Review Committee, UUREG 1061.
14. (1987) ASTM E115.2-87. Standard test method for determining J-R curves.

---

Suggested Citation

A.S. Zubchenko, G.S. Vasilchenko, Yu.G. Dragunov (2000) Application of leak-before-break concept for provision of the safety of WWER-1000 type reactors. The Paton Welding J., 09, 39-44.

---