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

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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