• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1159-1168
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• 2013

In pressurized water nuclear reactors (PWRs), the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) upper head contains penetration nozzles that use a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM). The penetration nozzle uses J-groove weld geometry. Recently, the occurrence of cracking in alloy 600 CRDM penetration nozzle has increased. This is attributable to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). PWSCC is known to be susceptible to the welding residual stress and operational stress. Generally, the tensile residual stress is the main factor contributing to crack growth. Therefore, this study investigates the effect on weld residual stress through different analysis methods for normal operating conditions using finite element analysis. In addition, this study also considers the effect of repeated normal operating condition cycles on the weld residual stress. Based on the analysis result, this paper presents a normal operating condition analysis method.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.84-92
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• 2010

현재 가동 중인 몇몇 가압 경수로 원전 안전 1등급 설비의 이종금속 용접부는 일차수응력부식균열(PWSCC : Primary Stress Corrosion Cracking) 발생의 세가지 조건(민감 재질, 부식 환경, 인장응력)을 동시에 충족하고 있다. 즉, 이종금속 용접부는 PWSCC에 민감한 재질인 Alloy 600 계열 합금으로 제작 또는 용접되어 있으며 고온 수화학 부식 환경 하에 놓여있다. 아울러 오스테나이트 스테인리스 강의 예민화 예방을 위한 용접 후열처리 미실시로 높은 인장 용접 잔류응력이 작용하고 있다. 이러한 이종금속 용접부의 특성상 PWSCC가 발생할 잠재성이 있을 뿐만 아니라 국내외적으로 Alloy 600 계열 합금으로 제작 및 용접된 가압 경수로 원전 안전 1등급 설비의 이종금속 용접부에 실제 PWSCC가 발생된 사례들이 다수 보고되고 있다. 운전 환경 및 재질 변화 없이 PWSCC 발생을 예방하기 위해서는 인장 잔류응력을 이완시켜 낮은 인장 또는 압축 응력화하여야 한다. 이러한 인장 잔류응력 이완방법들로는 PWOL(Pre-emptive Weld Overlay), 레이저 피닝(Laser Peening), MSIP(Mechanical Stress Improvement Process), 워터 제트 피닝(Water Jet Peening), IHSI(Induction Heating Stress Improvement) 방법들이 있는데 공정 시간이 짧고 열 에너지 원이 필요 없으며 전체적인 소성 변형을 야기시키지 않는 레이저 피닝을 본 연구의 대상 방법으로 한다. 본 연구에서는 동적 유한요소 해석을 통해 용접 잔류응력을 이완시키는 레이저 피닝의 효과를 검증하고 용접 잔류응력에 미치는 레이저 피닝 변수의 영향을 고찰하고자 한다. 내부 보수용접이 수행된 경수로 원전 가압기 노즐 이종금속 용접부에 레이저 피닝을 적용한 경우에 대해 상용 유한요소 해석 프로그램인 ABAQUS를 이용하여 동적 유한요소해석을 수행한 결과, 고온 수화학 일차수와 접하는 Alloy 600 계열 합금 내면에서의 인장 잔류응력이 상당히 이완됨을 확인하였다. 또한, 최대충격 압력이 증가할수록, 충격압력 지속시간이 증가할수록, 레이저 스팟 직경이 증가할수록 내표면 인장 잔류응력 이완 정도는 감소하나 이완되는 영역의 깊이는 증가함을 알 수 있다. 또한, 레이저 피닝 방향이 잔류응력 이완에 미치는 영향은 미미함을 알 수 있다.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1115-1130
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• 2012

In nuclear power plants, the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) upper head control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) penetration nozzles are fabricated using J-groove weld geometry. Recently, the incidences of cracking in Alloy 600 CRDM nozzles and their associated welds have increased significantly. The cracking mechanism has been attributed to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC), and it has been shown to be driven by welding residual stresses and operational stresses in the weld region. The weld-induced residual stress is the main factor contributing to crack growth. Therefore, an exact estimation of the residual stress is important for ensuring reliable operation. This study presents the residual stress computation performed for an RPV CRDM penetration nozzle in Korea. Based on two and three dimensional finite element analyses, the effect of welding variables on the residual stress variation is estimated for sensitivity analysis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2013

This study investigates the crack growth behavior due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in the dissimilar metal butt weld of a reactor piping using Alloy 82/182. First, detailed finite element stress analyses were performed to predict the stress distribution of the dissimilar metal butt weld in which the hydrostatic and the normal operating loads as well as the weld residual stresses were considered to evaluate the stress redistribution due to mechanical loadings. Based on the stress distributions along the wall thickness of the dissimilar metal butt weld, the crack growth behavior of the postulated axial and circumferential cracks were predicted, from which the crack growth diagram due to PWSCC was proposed. The present results can be applied to predict the crack growth rate in the dissimilar metal butt weld of reactor piping due to PWSCC.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2016

The paper investigates the previous studies about welding residual stresses in nuclear components. First, various residual stress measurement methods are reviewed in applicability. Second a finite element welding residual stress analysis technique, which was developed from the viewpoint of FFS (Fitness-For-Service) assessment, is explained. Third, characteristics of the welding residual stresses on J-groove welds and butt welds were presented via investigating the previous studies. Last, engineering formulae for residual stresses in the FFS assessment codes such as R6 and API 579/ASME FFS-1 Code is summarized.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1337-1345
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• 2011

In pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) upper head contains numerous control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) nozzles. In the last 10 years, the incidences of cracking in alloy 600 CRDM nozzles and their associated welds has increased significantly. Several axial and circumferential cracks have been found in CRDM nozzles in European PWRs and U.S. nuclear power plants. These cracks are caused by primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) and have been shown to be driven by welding residual stresses and operational stresses in the weld region. Therefore, detailed finite-element (FE) simulations for the Korea Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel have been conducted in order to predict the magnitudes of the weld residual stresses in the tube materials. In particular, the weld residual stress results are compared in terms for nozzle location, geometry factor$r_o$/t, geometry of fillet, and adjacent nozzle.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.770-781
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• 2008

In nuclear power plants, ferritic low alloy steel components were connected with austenitic stainless steel piping system through alloy 82/182 butt weld. There have been incidents recently where cracking has been observed in the dissimilar metal weld. Alloy 82/182 is susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking. Weld-induced residual stress is main factor for crack growth. Therefore exact estimation of residual stress is important for reliable operating. This paper presents residual stress computation performed by 6" safety & relief nozzle. Based on 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional finite element analyses, effect of welding variables on residual stress variation is estimated for sensitivity analysis.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.90-95
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• 2004

In this study, we proposed new method to mitigate tensile welding residual stress for preventing PWSCC in CRDM nozzle. Residual stress analysis using finite element method is performed to confirm benefit of the new method. In case of applying existing method, tensile axial residual stress decrease by about 28% and tensile hoop residual stress decrease by about 33%. In case of applying the new method, tensile axial residual stress decrease by about 32% and tensile hoop residual stress decrease by about 43%. Therefore, we conclude the new proposed method is more effective to prevent PWSCC than existing method.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.591-602
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• 1995

가압경수로에서는 장기적인 반응도 조절을 위하여 B-10과 B-11을 함유한 천연붕산을 사용한다. 천연붕산의 사용으로 원자로냉각재의 붕소농도가 높기 때문에 pH를 적정한 범위로 유지하기 위하여 많은 양의 수산화리튬이 주입된다. 이로 인한 높은 리튬 농도는 증기발생기 재질의 응력부식균열과 핵연료피복재의 산화를 촉진시키는 등의 부작용을 초래할 수 있다고 보고되었다. 따라서 본 고에서는 천연붕산을 B-10 함량이 높은 농축붕산으로 대체하는 경우에 대한 기술적, 경제적 영향을 조사하고 검토하였다. 조사 결과, 농축붕산은 원전의 일차계통 수질화학, 부식생성물의 방사화에 의한 선량율, 보조계통 설계, 액체폐기물 발생량관점에서 여러가지 이점이 있을 수 있으며, 노심설계, 안전해석, 발전소 인허가 등의 관점에서는 문제가 없다고 밝혀졌다. 현재 천연붕산으로 운전중인 원전에서는 농축붕산의 경제성이 발전소의 주어진 제반여건에 의존하고, 농축붕산의 가격에 따라 크게 차이가 있는 것으로 보고되었다. 국내에 신규 원전이 계속적으로 건설되고 있는 현실에 비추어 볼 때, 발전소의 경제성과 안전성을 향상시키기 위하여 농축붕산 사용에 대한 타당성을 좀 더 면밀히 분석 할 필요가 있다고 판단된다.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.543-547
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• 2011

Primary water stress corrosion cracking has occurred in dissimilar weld areas in nuclear power plants. Residual stress is a driving force in the crack. Residual stress may be generated by weld or surface machining. Residual stress due to surface machining depends on the machining method, e.g., milling, grinding, or EDM. The stress is usually distributed on or near the surface of the material. We present the measured residual stress for machining on SA 508 and austenitic stainless steels such as TP304 and F316. The residual stress can be tensile or compressive depending on the machining method. The depth and the magnitude of the residual stress depend on the material and the machining method.