NDE research of nuclear power plant primary circuit components and concrete infrastructure in Finland

A profound understanding of the reliability of non-destructive examination methods is needed for safe operation of nuclear power plants. In Finland, a national Research Programme on Nuclear Power Plant Safety SAFIR2018 is sustaining research in several fields focusing on the safety of nuclear energy production. In SAFIR2018 research programme the project NDE of nuclear power plant primary circuit components and concrete infrastructure (WANDA) is focusing on the development and understanding of NDE methods. In the WANDA project, the continuous development of the NDE methods for nuclear power plants in-service inspections is the main objective. The project has several focuses, of which the main are to analyse the differences in artificial defects and further verify the reliability of NDE simulations, to improve the eddy current inspection technique to map the existence of the magnetite piles in steam generators and to assess the existing and new NDT techniques and monitoring systems for concrete examination and improve the nuclear power plants in-service inspections techniques for concrete infrastructure.