Working Group on Integrity of Components and Structures (IAGE)

Programme of work

The main topics investigated by this working group include: the integrity of metal components; the integrity and ageing of concrete structures; and the seismic behaviour of structures and components.

Lifetime management remains an important topic for the working group. A status report on risk-informed, in-service inspection (RI-ISI) methodologies was completed, and the group is now actively working on a benchmark study on RI-ISI methodologies. Reactor pressure vessel integrity is being addressed through a benchmark on probabilistic structural integrity methods.

An extensive report on concrete containment integrity was issued during 2006. The workshop on corrosion and long-term performance of reinforced concrete in nuclear waste facilities held in Cadarache, France on 27-30 March 2006 provided insights on structural and regulatory issues.

The workshop on seismic input motions, incorporating recent geological studies was held in Japan on 15-17 November 2005 and completed a series of workshops on seismic input motions. Methods to calculate seismic input motions for nuclear power plants and related uncertainties continued to be explored through close co-operation with geologists and seismologists.

Integrity of metal components and structures

The integrity of metal components and structures sub-group's recent activities include:

  • Developing a benchmark on the probabilistic structural integrity of a PWR reactor pressure vessel (PROSIR);
  • Compiling a report which collected information on primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in nickel-based alloys used in the reactor vessel head penetrations and other components - in particular Alloy 600 and its associated welds.
  • A report examining plant ageing and lifetime management is currently in preparation.

Ageing of concrete structures

The integrity and ageing of concrete structures sub-group has recently been focusing on the preparation of a strategy report that identifies and ranks challenges for concrete structures for operating and new and advanced reactors.

Seismic behaviour of components and structures

The seismic behaviour of structures and components sub-group's recent activities include:

Related links

Seismic Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: IAEA International Workshop on Lessons Learned from Strong Earthquakes

IAGE overview

IAGE mandate

IAGE recent reports

These pages were last updated on 16 June 2008.