No abstract available

No abstract available

[en] During the last five years several approaches were developed as non-destructive methods for strain/stress-measurements not only on the surface but in the interior, too. The state of the art is described in this contribution covering ultrasonic as well as micromagnetic methods. Examples are given from research results and applications in practice. The most important literature differentiated referring to physics, review contributions and applications is listed in an appendix. (orig./HP)

[en] The USNRC and EG and G Idaho have been pursuing a program to evaluate whether changing the allowable structural damping in nuclear piping system seismic analyses is justified. The program has assessed the available data, identified the significant parameters, conducted a series of pipe damping tests, and established a nuclear piping data bank. (orig./HP)

[en] For those responsible for solving specific application problems, this paper illustrated that successful research results are not enough. Rather, several additional steps must be taken, often requiring greater commitments of both time and funds. Furthermore, organic factors often unique to a specific project and time frame can and do influence the ease with which one moves from successful exploratory research to routine application. A better understanding of the technology transfer process can lead to a more productive relationship among the research community, the sponsoring agency and the application community

[en] Many forces are pressuring utilities to reduce operating and maintenance costs without cutting back on reliability or availability. Many utility managers are re-evaluating maintenance strategies to meet these demands. To utilities how to reduce maintenance costs and extent the effective operating life of equipment, predictive maintenance technique can be adapted. Predictive maintenance had three types program which are in-house program, engineering company program and mixed program. We can approach successful predictive maintenance program with 'smart trust' concept

[en] This paper describes methods for generating artificial motion applicable to seismic design analyses and vibration tests of plant equipment to prove seismic performance. A typical motion that satisfies the target response spectrum (TRS) is used as the input motion of the vibration test. The TRS is generally produced by enveloping various floor response spectra of the tested equipment so that the spectrum tends to have wide-band frequency components (WBFCs) reflecting various plant conditions. The WBFCs generally increase the maximum acceleration of the generated motion. Moreover, there are limits to shaking table performance, including applicable maximum acceleration, velocity, and displacement. These limits sometimes cause problems in generating the motion. This paper reviews some typical methods of generating artificial earthquake motion and their improvement to generate motion satisfying the WBFC spectrum for lightly damped equipment. Typical motions generated by the improved method have never been generated previously by conventional methods of generating artificial earthquakes. (author)

[en] The problem of seismically qualifying different electrical instruments mounted in cabinets of a standard design is discussed and the following economical approach is described in detail. An analytical model of the cabinet structure is developed and validated by comparison with the results of shake table tests on a prototype cabinet. Modal analysis is then used to calculate the input spectra for shake table tests to qualify the individual instruments that are mounted at the required elevations in the cabinet. The worst input spectrum, appropriate to qualify each instrument, is then specified to the suppliers. This approach avoids the need to test each cabinet configuration in an assembled state in order to qualify it. (auth)

[en] The KNF (KEPCO Nuclear Fuel) requested mechanical characterization tests of a fuel assembly and a skeleton of the X2-Gen fuel. The tests consisted of the lateral vibration and lateral/axial stiffness, lateral/axial impact and combined deflection tests carried out by using the FAMeCT (Fuel Assembly Mechanical Characterization Tester) in KAERI. The upper and lower core plate simulators were newly designed and manufactured because the fuel geometry of the X2-Gen was different from the KSNP type fuel assembly. In addition to this, the upper carriage was also revised with the LM guide system from the previous two guide rods system. Therefore, the axial and combined deflection tests were soundly executed. Each test was repeated twice to confirm the repeatability. The discrepancy from the repetition was small enough to be neglected. The mechanical characterization tests were accredited with the KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme) standard, and the certified test reports (lateral vibration, lateral/axial bending and lateral/axial impact) and the uncertified test report (combined deflection) were issued together with the current test result report

[en] Small business is a strong element in the economy in terms of employment, new jobs and the introduction of new products and services. In NDE, small companies have introduced new ideas, products and techniques, making these available for improved inspection. Given more opportunity, small business can be an even stronger factor in NDE technology transfer. This opportunity might be provided in the form of: Greater assistance and encouragement from large organizations who do not plan to move forward on developments within their own laboratories; Greater recognition for people who display the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit needed to start new ventures; and More opportunities in R and D - either in direct contract support or in a subcontractor role in which the small business innovative spirit is encouraged