Elaboration of the System Based Code Concept — Activities in JSME and ASME: (4) Joint Efforts of JSME and ASME

Abstract

This paper describes the ongoing activities at the Joint Task Group for System Based Code established in 2012 by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Committee. The Joint Task Group aims at developing alternative rules for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI Division 3, inservice inspection requirements for liquid metal reactors. The alternative rules will be developed based on the System Based Code concept which was originally proposed in Japan and is being elaborated both in JSME and ASME. The alternative rules are for sodium-cooled fast reactors where some of the components could have difficulties in conforming to the current requirements primarily due to accessibility. The alternative requirements would consist of a set of relieved requirements and a logic flow through which the applicability of them is judged. The logic flow considers both component structural integrity and the plant safety goals. The issuance of a Code Case is envisioned around 2016. Further efforts to integrate the process into a new framework being developed in Section XI would cover various types of reactors.