Abstract
The main objective and mission of the ATLAS+ project was to develop advanced structural assessment tools to address the remaining technology gaps for the safe and long term operation of nuclear reactor pressure coolant boundary systems.
ATLAS+ WP3 focused mainly on ductile tearing prediction for large defects in piping and associated components: Several approaches have been developed to accurately model the ductile tearing process and to take into account phenomena such as triaxiality effects, or the ability to predict large tearing in industrial components. These advanced models include local approach coupled models or advanced energetic approaches. Unfortunately, the application of these tools is currently rather limited to R&D expertise. However, because of the continuous progress in the performance of calculation tools and accumulated knowledge, in particular by members of the ATLAS+ consortium, these models can now be considered as relevant for application in the context of engineering assessments.
WP3 was planned to:
• Illustrate the implementation of these models for industrial applications through the interpretation of large scale mock-ups (with cracks in weld joints for some of them),
• Make recommendations for the implementation of the advanced models in engineering assessments,
• Correct data from the conventional engineering approach by developing a methodology to produce J-Δa curve suitable case by case, based on local approach models,
• Improve the tools, guidance and procedures for undertaking leak-before-break (LBB) assessments of piping components, particularly in relation to evaluating structural representative fracture toughness J-Resistance curves and the influence of weld residual stresses.
To achieve these goals, WP3 was divided into 4 sub-WPs. This paper presents the progress of the work performed in each sub-WP after 48 months of activities.