Nuclear power stations could last longer thanks to reappraisal of conservative fatigue assessments

A new research project could extend the lifespan of nuclear power stations around the world by improving on conservative fatigue assessments.

Led by Jacobs and funded by the European Union, the international Incefa-Scale programme aims to reduce uncertainties about how critical components will perform when subjected to the harsh conditions inside operational nuclear power reactors.

Although components and materials are extensively tested in laboratories, there are sometimes gaps in understanding the correlation between tests and actual performance. This can lead to fatigue assessment parameters being set more conservatively than necessary.

The research aims to fill in those gaps through extensive data mining of international fatigue databases and detailed examination of test specimens to improve mechanistic understanding. Greater certainty about component performance could avoid unnecessary closures of nuclear power plants when they are still economically viable and safe to operate.

Jacobs is operator of the UK’s largest independent nuclear laboratory complex in Birchwood Park, Warrington. It will contribute to multiaxial, thermo-mechanical and complex waveform testing, to provide greater insight into the stresses and strains placed on components. This work will complement component scale tests being carried out by the Electric Power Research Institute in the US.

The EU is providing most of the funding for the five-year, $8.1m Incefa-Scale programme, which is a continuation of the previous Incefa-Plus programme, where Jacobs have led a 16-member European consortium since 2013.

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