Local Approach to Fracture Applied to Reactor Pressure Vessel : Synthesis of a Cooperative Programme Between EDF, CEA, Framatome and AEA

Abstract

A cooperative research programme in the field of the local approach to cleavage fracture applied to reactor pressure vessels is conducted between EDF, CEA, Framatome and AEA Technology. The purpose of such a programme is to have a better knowledge of this approach for RPV fracture mechanics integrity assessments regarding the risk of brittle fracture. This programme includes both an experimental part conducted by several laboratories in order to identify m and σ parameters of Beremin model on a A508 C13 steel, and numerous numerical computations of specimens and structures. Finite element programs are compared on some reference calculations in order to validate local approach to fracture postprocessors. The capability of Beremin model to explain the shallow flaw effect in cleavage fracture is finally discussed.