LBB在蠕变温度以上核级管道设计中的应用

LBB（Leak-Before-Break）技术是保证核反应堆结构安全和可靠的一种重要分析方法。对于在蠕变温度以上高温堆（如快堆）的核级管道,运用LBB分析时应考虑疲劳和蠕变对裂纹扩展的影响。本工作以法国规范RCC-MR的A16为基础、以快堆余热排放系统的一段管道为研究对象进行LBB分析,总结出一套运用于蠕变温度以上核级管道安全分析的LBB方法。经计算得到,在蠕变温度以上,蠕变对裂纹扩展的影响较大。经验证,该管道符合LBB技术对于裂纹稳定性及泄漏量可探测性的条件,满足从开始泄漏到裂纹失稳的时间要求。     

非中心穿透裂纹对LBB技术应用的影响分析

随着LBB技术的发展和应用推广,可运用详细的裂纹扩展分析技术,通过周密的分析论证,以证明带缺陷管系在使用寿期内同样能够满足SRP3.6.3中关于LBB技术应用的、与泄漏探测能力、裂纹稳定性和载荷相关的裕量要求。在这种前提下,一些额外的分析就必不可少。其中之一即为需要考虑载荷对称中心与裂纹对称中心不重合情况,即所谓的非中心裂纹,对LBB技术应用的影响。本文以压水堆核电厂中DN150、DN350和DN550管径的核1级高能管道中非中心裂纹为研究对象,先从偏心角度对裂纹张开面积的分析着手,进而研究其对泄漏率分析与裂纹稳定性分析的影响,并对非中心裂纹对LBB技术应用的影响做了综合性的分析总结,为今后含缺陷管道应用LBB技术的分析提供参考与借鉴。     

LBB设计中管道贯穿裂纹张开位移及泄漏率计算研究

在核电站管道破前漏设计(LBB)过程中,需要对管道的关注部位假设一个贯穿裂纹,然后计算该裂纹在正常运行工况下的裂纹张开位移(COD)以及流体泄漏率,从而验证管道LBB设计准则的适应性。本文介绍了COD以及泄漏率计算的意义,然后探讨了各种计算方法的优缺点和发展方向,最后给出了自主开发程序的验证算例。文中讨论的问题可为LBB技术在我国核电厂中的应用提供参考。     

LBB泄漏率计算与热力学非平衡效应影响评估

裂纹泄漏率计算是破前漏（LBB）在核电站管道和设备上应用的基础。在Fauske模型基础上,整个裂纹内流体流动假设为等焓过程且充分考虑摩擦效应对裂纹临界泄漏率的影响,利用Mathcad计算得到了管道裂纹两相泄漏率,与已有文献中实验数据进行对比,将其发展成为可准确计算裂纹泄漏率的计算机程序。同时根据两相流动不平衡理论,对模型进行热力学不平衡参数影响修正。结果表明：随裂纹长径比(L/D)增大,两相泄漏率减小;随裂纹入口滞止压力增大,两相泄漏率增大;裂纹入口流体过冷度增大,两相泄漏率增大,数学模型计算结果与实验结果趋势一致,但忽略热力学非平衡效应,数学模型计算得到的临界流量小于实验流量。对于热力学不平衡参数修正后模型,模型计算得到的结果均与实验数据符合很好,故由修正后模型编制的Mathcad程序可完成裂纹泄漏率的准确计算,为LBB在核电站管道上的应用提供基础。     

核级管道中环向贯穿裂纹的断裂韧性计算研究

裂纹稳定性分析是破前漏技术(LBB)的关键问题之一。在工程设计中,失效评定图法(FAD)广泛应用于管道的临界裂纹长度计算。文章以某核电厂主蒸汽管道材料SA335为研究对象,结合有限元方法与材料损伤模型模拟了SA355管道中环向贯穿裂纹的断裂过程,并得到其断裂韧性K_(IC)。计算结果发现,通过紧凑拉伸试样测量的K_(IC)低估了管道裂纹的断裂韧性,使得评定点坐标K_r容易落在评定曲线包络的区域之外,进而得到较为保守的临界裂纹长度。采用文中推荐的计算方法,可以合理并有效地评价核级管道中贯穿裂纹的裂纹稳定性。     

LBB和BP在核电站管道设计中的异同性分析

对LBB（破前漏）和BP（破裂排除）两种设计理念进行了比较，从材料质量要求、制造要求、应用范围、泄漏监测、裂纹分析及局部效应、全局效应等方面，对BP和LBB管道设计中的异同性进行了分析。分析结果表明：BP的“纵深防御”体系能包络LBB的主体内容；相对于LBB，BP对管道设计的要求更复杂；主冷却剂管道采用LBB和BP后的局部效应和全局效应大体相同。     

动态载荷下奥氏体不锈钢管道LBB环向贯穿裂纹稳定性实验及理论分析方法研究

管道环向贯穿裂纹是否稳定是评判管道是否满足破前漏（LBB）设计准则的标准之一,为确保LBB技术安全可靠,对管道环向贯穿裂纹在动态载荷下的稳定性进行实验研究。采用水平冲击机对含环向贯穿裂纹的管道依次进行加载速度为1.22、2、3、4 m/s的高温不带运行压力的冲击实验,以获得各应变率下的实验极限载荷值,并与工程理论分析计算结果进行比较。分析表明:奥氏体不锈钢管道环向贯穿裂纹在动态载荷下的失效模式为塑性失稳;经实验验证,在工程中对承受动态载荷的奥氏体不锈钢管道进行LBB分析时,采用美国核管会标准审查大纲3.6.3破前漏评估程序（SRP 3.6.3）中的极限载荷理论分析方法具有较高的工程安全性,若同时选用准静态下的材料力学性能,则工程安全性更高。      

LBB管道裂纹泄漏率计算软件PICLES验证研究

管道裂纹泄漏率计算是破前漏（LBB）分析中的关键技术，采用与有效软件进行对比和与实验结果进行对比的方式，对国内自主研发的泄漏率计算软件PICLES进行验证研究。与已有成熟工程应用的国际同类软件（PICEP和SI-PICEP）对比，PICLES与其计算结果相差较小；与管道裂纹泄漏率实验结果对比，PICLES计算出的泄漏率与其相差?80.23%~?43.79%，PICLES计算的泄漏裂纹长度与实测裂纹长度相差21.84%~79.07%，说明将PICLES用于过冷水管道LBB分析具有较高的保守性。因此，PICLES可用于实际工程中的LBB分析。      

含环向穿透裂纹管道LBB裂纹扩展稳定性计算程序开发

在管道LBB设计和评定中,J积分和裂纹扩展稳定性的计算过程复杂,为提高计算精度和效率,需采用改进的计算方法,并实现程序软件的计算。本文基于增强参考应力法(ERS法)的J积分计算和J积分稳定性评定图法,开发LBB裂纹扩展稳定性计算程序,此程序可计算含环向穿透裂纹管道的LBB失稳载荷和临界裂纹长度。所开发的程序实现了单纯拉伸载荷、弯曲载荷及拉弯复合非比例加载下的裂纹扩展稳定性计算,并提供了两种材料真应力-真应变关系参数的输入计算方法,拓宽了现有计算方法的局限性。通过有限元计算结果和文献中管线试验结果与程序计算结果的对比分析,验证了计算程序的准确性。     

LBB分析中J积分撕裂模量汇交方法研究

介绍了管道破前漏(LBB)分析中极限载荷和临界裂纹长度求解的J积分-撕裂模量汇交方法(J-T法).利用有限元分析软件(ABAQUS)计算3种裂纹长度J积分,并将J积分与裂纹长度采用多项式函数进行拟合,最后在多项式函数的基础上求解极限载荷和临界裂纹长度.采用FLET软件提供的算例对J-T方法的正确性进行验证.结果表明,运用基于ABAQUS的J-T法能提高失稳J积分的计算精度,能适用更广泛范围、更复杂结构的LBB分析.     

Leak-Before-Break analysis for Pickering ‘A’ Unit 1 and Unit 4 large diameter main steam line pipes

This paper presents a Leak-Before-Break (LBB) analysis of large diameter main steam line pipes (i.e. NPS 28″ and 30″) running from reactor building to main steam balance header in Pickering nuclear plant Unit 1 and Unit 4. Recent development in LBB technology summarized in U.S. Nuclear Regular Commission report NUREG/CR-6765 was adopted. Based on the tiered approach of LBB philosophy, this LBB analysis belongs to level 2 or level 3 LBB analysis. Detailed fracture tolerance analyses and leakage rate calculations were performed. EPFM (elastic plastic fracture mechanics) theory of J-integral, resistance curve versus ductile crack extension was adopted in carrying out all fracture tolerance analyses. Through-wall cracks in axial and circumferential directions on both straight pipes and elbows were postulated and analyzed. The loads applied on the postulated cracked pipes were obtained from detailed piping stress analysis under deadweight load, design pressure, thermal expansion, seismic design based earthquake (DBE) and thrust load due to the opening of relief valves. J-resistance data were derived from the lowest fracture toughness testing data obtained from Ontario Power Generation's PHT (primary heat transport) LBB material testing programs. A margin of 2 on crack size was chosen in establishing maximum allowable crack sizes. Leakage rates were calculated using SQUIRT Windows Version 1.1 program. The fluid inside the main steam line pipes was assumed single phase steam at 100% quality. One tenth of the calculated leakage rates was proposed as the requirement for minimum leakage detection capability. The paper concludes that the absence of through-wall crack larger than 91.16 mm in length should be maintained in order to ensure the structural integrity of large diameter main steam line pipes. In lieu of this crack size requirement, a reliable leakage detection capability which could quantify mass steam leakage rate of 0.01678 kg per second, or volume leakage rate of 1.01 l/min, should be in place. If both of the above two requirements are met, the Leak-Before-Break of these large diameter main steam line pipes is warranted.     

压力管道破前漏分析的一种简化方法

介绍了一种用于核反应堆管道和压力容器破前漏（ＬＢＢ）分析的简化方法，它主要以线弹性断裂力学的基础，将ＬＢＢ分析中应力强度因子，裂纹张开面积和泄漏率等计算以解析公式表达出来。这种方法使用方便，而且满足有关的国家标准和国际规范的要求，适用于一些应力分布和几何形状比较简单的管道和压力容器，或用于ＬＢＢ性质的近似估计。     

Development of modified piping evaluation diagram for leak-before-break application to Korean next generation reactor

Recently, the piping evaluation diagram (PED) is accepted in nuclear industry for an efficient application of leak-before-break (LBB) concept to piping system at an initial piping design stage. The objective of this paper is to develop the modified PED, which can account for the variation of the material properties of the PED development stage and those of the assembly stage. For this purpose, a parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of stress–strain curve on the detectable leakage crack length and the effect of fracture resistance curve on the LBB allowable load. Finite element analyses were also performed to investigate the effect of stress–strain curve on the LBB allowable load. Finally, a modified PED was proposed as a function of crack length and the allowable safe shutdown earthquake load. The LBB analyses based on the modified PED are in good agreement with those based on the traditional PED. By adopting the modified PED, the variation of material properties can be considered in the LBB analysis and the computing times required for the application of LBB during the design process can be considerably reduced.     

Leak-before-break and plastic collapse behaviour of statically indeterminate pipe system with circumferential crack

Much research has been carried out on Leak-Before-Break (LBB) behavior of pipes with cracks. However, most studies have been made on statically determinate pipe systems. Few studies have been made on LBB behavior of statically indeterminate pipe systems. Most pipe systems in nuclear power plants have supports and restraints, thus they can be considered as statically indeterminate pipe systems. From above points of view, LBB and plastic collapse behaviors of statically indeterminate pipe with circumferential crack and compliance were studied in this paper. A new method is proposed to analyze and evaluate the LBB and plastic collapse behavior of a statically indeterminate structure. The pipe system of which one end is clamped and the other is supported with compliance was analyzed. The main results obtained are as follows: (1) By combining the limit analysis theory and elastic–plastic fracture mechanics, the effects of crack size, compliance and fracture toughness on load deflection behaviors to failure and structural integrity of statically indeterminate pipe system have been analyzed quantitatively and easily. (2) When a crack grows in a statically indeterminate pipe before plastic collapse, load drop conditions can be derived quantitatively, as a function of J_IC, dJ/da, flow stress, crack size, pipe span length, compliance and flexural rigidity of the pipe. (3) The analytic method developed in this research is useful and convenient to evaluate the LBB and tearing instability behavior of a statically indeterminate pipe system. (4) LBB resolves easily for statically indeterminate pipes with a crack, even when it does not resolve for statically determinate pipes with the same crack. That results from the fact that bending moment redistribution during the fracture process occurs easily for statically indeterminate pipe systems, and its redistribution restrains plastic deformation of the cracked weak section.     

Validation of simplified fracture mechanics methods by testing of real components

The evaluation of integrity of structural components is often based on the proof of leak-before-break (LBB). Leak-before-break behaviour in piping constitutes a fail-safe condition. Which means that, during multiplied loading conditions, a defect results at first in a leakage. The crack length which leads to the leakage is smaller than the critical through-wall crack length. Simplified fracture mechanics concepts are used for the demonstration of LBB. For this the conservative, safe calculation of the critical through-wall crack length for ductile failure is necessary. To validate simplified calculation methods for circumferential cracks (flow stress concept (FSC); plastic limit load (PLL)) and for axial cracks (Battelle approach (BMI); Ruiz approach (RUIZ)) all available experiments on real structural components, especially on pipes, were analysed and evaluated by the mentioned simplified methods (approximately 460 experiments). The methods were adapted by application of correction factors, mainly on the flow stress, to result in conservative (safe) and realistic (as near as possible to the experiments) predictions. Depending on method (FSC, PLL, BMI, RUIZ), crack orientation (circumferential and axial cracks) and type of material (ferritic and austenitic material) different definitions of flow stresses were established.     

Approximate fracture methods for pipes — Part II: Applications

In the part I paper entitled “Approximate fracture methods for pipes — Part I, Theory” [4], five different J-estimation schemes for through-wall cracked pipes were presented. The (i) GE.EPRI method utilizes a compilation of finite-element solutions. The (ii) Paris/Tada and (iii) LBB.NRC methods utilize an interpolation between the linear elastic and rigid plastic solutions, (iv) the LBB.GE method also uses numerical solutions, and (v) the LBB.ENG uses an equivalent area method to estimate J. All five methods are very simple to use and all five give reasonable predictions of crack growth and failure in pipes. The present paper provides a comparison of some of the methods to full-scale finite-element analyses. In addition, predictions for actual pipe experiments compared to experimental data are also provided.