The Data Bank launched two benchmark studies (2D VENUS-1 and 3D VENUS-3 experiments), with the objective to verify the statement that dosimetry calculations of pressure vessels, using current standard methods, can be predicted with an accuracy of 20% and to validate the methods described in the 1996 NSC state-of-the-art report on reactor dosimetry:
Computing Radiation Dose to Reactor Pressure Vessel and Internals State-of-the-Art Report. Authors: NEA NSC Task Force on Computing Radiation Dose and Modeling of Radiation-Induced Degradation of Reactor Components
Participation in the benchmarks was open until 1 May 1999. Twenty solutions for VENUS-1 and fourteen results for VENUS-3 were received and are now being analysed. In addition to the standard methodologies described in the report, more advanced methods have been applied in particular for the VENUS-3 benchmark. An improved level of accuracy was noted for these enhanced methods when applied to pressure vessel fluence calculations. The analysis so far carried out shows the superiority of the 3D transport methods compared to 2D synthesis methods.
The report of the two VENUS benchmarks is entitled Prediction of Neutron Embrittlement in the Reactor Pressure Vessel.
The NSC task force on material damage held its first meeting on 22-23 October 1998 at NEA Headquarters. There were 16 participants from eight different member countries. The subject of the meeting was the "redefinition of basic parameters for materials under irradiation", with a goal to promote a consensus among specialists on how to predict the irradiation response of nuclear structural materials, both from the very short and longer term perspectives. The outcome of the task force meeting was a questionnaire addressed to the participants and containing 5 specific questions. The answers to these questions are being collected and analysed.
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Last reviewed: 26 March 2012
