PFM Analysis for Pre-Existing Cracks on Alloy 182 Weld in PWR Primary Water Environment using Monte Carlo Simulation

Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics (PFM) analysis was generally used to consider the scatter and uncertainty of parameters in complex phenomenon. Weld defects could be present in weld regions of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), which cannot be considered by the typical fracture mechanics analysis. It is necessary to evaluate the effects of the pre-existing cracks in welds for the integrity of the welds. In this paper, PFM analysis for pre-existing cracks on Alloy 182 weld in PWR primary water environment was carried out using a Monte Carlo simulation. PFM analysis for pre-existing cracks on Alloy 182 weld in PWR primary water environment was carried out. It was shown that inspection decreases the gradient of the failure probability. And failure probability caused by the pre-existing cracks was stabilized after 15 years of operation time in this input condition