Overview of commission of European communities activity (Working Group Codes and Standards) in structural analysis and materials relevant to LMFBRs

Since 1976 the CEC through the Working Group Codes and Standards of the Fast Reactor Coordinating Committee undertook the comparison of different standards and codes used in the Community for LMFBR components fabrication. The aim was to eliminate gradually the discrepancies observed in manufacturing, structural analysis, materials specifications and classification of mechanical components for safety and economic reasons. Structural analysis work is devoted to resolve difficulties encountered in using design procedures based on ASME Code Case N-47 and to improve materials knowledge in the creep regime under cyclic loading. Results of inelastic benchmark calculations and of investigations concerning piping analysis, defect analysis and material behaviour at low and high temperatures are presented. Studies on materials are mainly related to tensile and stress rupture properties, fatigue and creep crack growth, fracture toughness and creepfatigue interaction of austenitic steels. Specifications and properties of ferritic steel, as 2 1/4 Cr, 9CrlMo and 12CrMoV are also investigated.