Journal article
A computer model for probabilistic leak-rate analysis of nuclear piping and piping welds
The International journal of pressure vessels and piping, Vol.70(3), pp.209-221
1997
DOI: 10.1016/S0308-0161(96)00032-4
Abstract
This paper describes the development of a computer code entitled PSQUIRT for probabilistic evaluations of leak rate in nuclear piping. It is based on (1) the Henry-Fauske model of two-phase flow for thermal-hydraulic analysis and (2) an estimation model for elastic-plastic fracture-mechanics analysis. In both analyses, uncertainties arise due to the incomplete knowledge of the crackmorphology variables and statistical scatter of the pipe material properties. The relevant parameters required to conduct these analyses were modeled as random variables. Henceforth, the above thermal-hydraulic and fracture-mechanics models were put in a probabilistic format to allow statistical variability of input and determination of their effects in pipe fracture and leak-before-break (LBB) evaluations. A standard Monte Carlo simulation technique was used to perform the probabilistic analysis. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the PSQUIRT code. Probabilistic analyses were performed by PSQUIRT for a stainless steel and a carbon steel pipe. Histograms were developed for leakage rate and flaw size in these pipes for LBB applications. The results suggest that the variability of leak rate can be significant due to statistical scatter of crack-morphology parameters. Using these histograms, the subsequent fracture stability of a leaking crack, actural or hypothetical, can be evaluated by either a deterministic or a probabilistic method.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A computer model for probabilistic leak-rate analysis of nuclear piping and piping welds
- Creators
- S RAHMAN - Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United StatesN GHADIALI - Battelle, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, United StatesG. M WILKOWSKI - Battelle, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, United StatesD PAUL - Battelle, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The International journal of pressure vessels and piping, Vol.70(3), pp.209-221
- Publisher
- Elsevier; Oxford
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0308-0161(96)00032-4
- ISSN
- 0308-0161
- eISSN
- 1879-3541
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1997
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984064571302771
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