Validation of the high-temperature structural integrity procedure R5 by component testing

摘要

Large-scale component tests enable: (i) direct substantiation of continued plant operation; (ii) validation of life monitoring procedures based on accumulated strain or damage; and (iii) validation of analysis-based structural integrity assessment procedures. This paper concentrates on their use in support of the high-temperature assessment procedure R5. The most common locations of cracking or damage in plant are at welds and the paper concentrates on tests on welded components. Tests on both defect-free and defective components are described. The data required from the tests, their use within R5 validation, and their limitations are discussed.