An Approach for Performance-Based Capacity Assessment of Prestressed Concrete Containment Vessels for Internal Accidents Application to VVER 1000 Containment Vessel

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Andonov ◽  
◽  
Dimitar Stefanov ◽  
Marin Kostov
Keyword(s):  
Failure Mode ◽  
Prestressed Concrete ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Damage Index ◽  
Capacity Assessment ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Performance Levels ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Leak Tightness ◽  
Load Intensity

A direct procedure is proposed for capacity assessment of prestressed concrete containment structures subjected to internal accident loads. The assessment procedure is based on graphical comparison between the structural capacity and the load intensity by plotting both parameters in the same “temperature gradient – overpressure” coordinate system. Furthermore, the capacity in terms of structural integrity and leak tightness is evaluated, corresponding to different limit states or performance levels. A new damage index is proposed in order to correlate the intensity of damages on the containment structure with the load intensity. The criteria for leak tightness and structural integrity are adopted for VVER-1000 containment structure. The ultimate pressure capacity, the failure mode and the capacity corresponding to different performance levels of the containment structure are assessed. The influence of the temperature load on the structure response is also studied. Conclusions are drawn on the VVER-1000 containment vessel overpressure capacity and its response to different design basis and severe accidents. The main failure mode and the critical zones of the structure are also determined.

Fracture Assessment of Flaws in Weldments using FITNET FFS Procedure: An Overview

2007 ◽  
Vol 345-346 ◽  
pp. 401-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Koçak ◽  
Stephen Webster ◽  
Isabel Hadley
Keyword(s):  
European Community ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Metallic Structures ◽  
Fracture Assessment ◽  
Basic Equations ◽  
Network Project

Recently a European community funded thematic network project (participation of 17 countries) FITNET (www.eurofitnet.org) has completed a new and unified engineering assessment procedure (FITNET FFS Procedure) of flaws in metallic structures and welds. This newly developed procedure (under CEN Workshop Agreement WA22) provides assessment rules for flaws or damage due to fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion to demonstrate the structural integrity of the component. This paper gives an overview of the FITNET Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Procedure and specifically presents the features and basic equations of the Fracture Module. It also presents two brief examples for the validation of the procedure using laser welded specimens.

Estimation of Through-Wall Cracking Frequency of RPV Under PTS Events Using PFM Analysis Method for Identifying Conservatism Included in Current Japanese Code

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Osakabe ◽  
Koichi Masaki ◽  
Jinya Katsuyama ◽  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Kunio Onizawa
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Crack Initiation ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
The U.S

To assess the structural integrity of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) during pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events, the deterministic fracture mechanics approach prescribed in Japanese code JEAC 4206-2007 [1] has been used in Japan. The structural integrity is judged to be maintained if the stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack tip during PTS events is smaller than fracture toughness KIc. On the other hand, the application of a probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis method for the structural reliability assessment of pressure components has become attractive recently because uncertainties related to influence parameters can be incorporated rationally. A probabilistic approach has already been adopted as the regulation on fracture toughness requirements against PTS events in the U.S. According to the PFM analysis method in the U.S., through-wall cracking frequencies (TWCFs) are estimated taking frequencies of event occurrence and crack arrest after crack initiation into consideration. In this study, in order to identify the conservatism in the current RPV integrity assessment procedure in the code, probabilistic analyses on TWCF have been performed for certain model of RPVs. The result shows that the current assumption in JEAC 4206-2007, that a semi-elliptic axial crack is postulated on the inside surface of RPV wall, is conservative as compared with realistic conditions. Effects of variation of PTS transients on crack initiation frequency and TWCF have been also discussed.

Analysis of Bolted Joints with Nonlinear Gasket Behavior

1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. Soler
Keyword(s):  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Bolted Joint ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Highly Nonlinear ◽  
Nonlinear Stress ◽  
Joint Connection ◽  
Leak Tightness ◽  
Gasket Material ◽  
Full Face

Design methods for full face gaskets in bolted pressure vessel joints have received little attention in the literature. Such gasketed joints play a prominent role in attaching rectangular plan from water boxes to rectangular tubesheets in condenser water boxes. With higher cooling water pressures becoming evident due to cooling tower circuits, the water box-tubesheet structure, and its bolted joint connection requires rigorous analysis for both structural integrity and leak tightness. Although it is well known that gasket material has a highly nonlinear stress strain behavior, very few analyses are available to calculate and evaluate the effect of the nonlinear gasket behavior in a bolted joint connection. In this paper, an approximate method for simultaneously analyzing structural integrity and leak tightness of typical bolted flange connections with nonlinear gasket material is developed. The flange is modeled as an elastic element, the bolt is simulated by a linear spring with bending and extensional resistance, and the gasket is modeled by a series of nonlinear compression springs. A simple nonlinear stress-strain relation for initial loading and unloading of the gasket is developed based on experimental data. The analysis technique employs an incremental procedure which follows the configuration through preloading and pressurization and checks structural integrity and gasket leakage. To illustrate the method, a typical full face gasket and flange construction is studied, and the effect of gasket properties on the final state is investigated. A series of simulation results are obtained which illustrate clearly the effect of gasket prestrain, undersizing of bolts, and wall rotational resistance. Of particular importance is a simulation comparing results obtained using actual nonlinear gasket stress-strain data with results obtained using linear models for the gasket. It is demonstrated that for full face gasket configurations, simulation of the nonlinear behavior is required to achieve accurate results. The procedure developed in this work is ideal for optimization of flange gasket configurations because of its cost effectiveness while simultaneously evaluating the interaction between structural integrity and joint leak tightness.

Development of Fitness-for-Service Standard for Pressure Equipment With Metal Loss Based on Reliability

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuyo Kaida ◽  
Shinsuke Sakai
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Metal Loss ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Rational Decision ◽  
Loss Assessment

Concern about probabilistic approach for Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessment has been growing over the last several years. The FFS assessment based on reliability helps to make a rational decision as to whether to run or repair the equipment. High Pressure Institute of Japan (HPI) formed a committee to develop a HPI FFS standard that can be used for pressure equipment with metal loss. This new standard provides an assessment procedure to evaluate structural integrity of components with metal loss based on reliability. This paper introduces the assessment procedure which is standardized and under preparation for publication, and the technical backgrounds. The standard provides information about limit state of pressure equipment, probabilistic properties of basic variables and target reliability. Probabilistic approach can be applied easily to metal loss assessment by using the standard.

Mitigating Failures in Ferritic-Austenitic Dissimilar Metal Joints in Petrochemical Industry

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge A. Penso ◽  
Patrick Belanger
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Embrittlement ◽  
Petrochemical Industry ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Failure Mechanisms ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Temperature Cycling ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Consensus Methods ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Creep Fatigue

There are several failure mechanisms that might affect ferritic-austenitic dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in petrochemical plants and refineries. Examples are cracking due to creep, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), sulphide SSC, thermal fatigue, brittle fracture, pitting corrosion, and hydrogen embrittlement. Of these, creep, SCC, and hydrogen embrittlement are perhaps of greater interest. Industry has many lessons learned; however, still experiences high consequence failures. This work describes the most common failure mechanisms in dissimilar ferritic-austenitic welds and summarizes a guidance to prepare welding procedures and reduce the likelihood of failures. This guidance is based on a literature review and industry experience. The metallurgical characteristics of the damage observed in both service and laboratory test samples indicate that creep rupture is the dominant failure mode for Dissimilar Metal Welds (DMW) in some high temperature service conditions. However, it has also been observed that temperature cycling contributes significantly to damage and can cause failure even when primary stress levels are relatively low. Therefore, a creep-fatigue assessment procedure is required as part of a remaining life calculation. API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2007 Fitness-For-Service standard includes a compendium of consensus methods for reliable assessment of the structural integrity of equipment containing identified flaws or damage. Part 10 of API 579-1 includes a method for protection against failure from creep-fatigue. In the assessment of DMW, a creep-fatigue interaction equation is provided to evaluate damage caused by thermal mismatch, sustained primary stresses, and cyclic secondary loads [Ref.1]. Failures due to hydrogen embrittlement cracking (HEC) mechanisms are not uncommon and are also described in this paper [Ref. 2]. Finally, a case history of a DMW failure in a steam methane furnace, which is common in the petrochemical industry, is described and shown as an example of a failure mitigation approach.

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