PERFECT—Prediction of Irradiation Damage Effects in Reactor Components: Update of Progress in RPV Mechanics Sub-Project

The EURATOM 6th Framework Integrated Project PERFECT (Prediction of Irradiation Damage Effects in Reactor Components) addresses irradiation damage in RPV materials and components by multi-scale modeling. This approach offers many potential advantages over the conventional empirical methods used in current practice of nuclear plant lifetime management. Launched in January 2004, PERFECT is a 48-month project focusing on two main components of nuclear power plants which are subject to irradiation damage: the ferritic steel reactor pressure vessel (RPV), and the austenitic steel internals. It is the purpose of the present paper to provide an update of progress of work being carried out in the Mechanics Sub-project of PERFECT to predict the fracture behavior of RPVs in PWR and WWER systems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME