Session: CS-11-01 Recent Developments in European Codes and Standards

Paper Number: 153220

153220 - Rcc-M Code: 2024 Edition and Ongoing Developments 

Abstract: 

Since 2018, the AFCEN association for Design, Construction and In-Service Inspection Rules for Nuclear Island Components, defines and updates a strategic roadmap to better serve the project’s needs, for new constructions as well as for existing plants in France and abroad.  In line with the strategic roadmap, the AFCEN Editorial Committee defines an editorial program covering all AFCEN Codes (RCC-CW, RCC-M, RCC-E, RCC-F, RCC-C, RSE-M, RCC-MRx), that is updated on a regular basis. The editorial programme is developed along five axes: users’ needs, operational experience feedback, innovative practices, alignment with standards and regulations, and editorial improvement.

For the RCC-M Code, “Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear Islands”, since 2018, a new edition of the RCC-M Code has been published every two years, to integrate the results of the editorial program. While the 2018 Edition of the RCC-M constituted a major revision of the code for the compliance with French regulations for Nuclear Pressure Equipment, an extensive work has been carried out by the Working groups and Task groups to prepare the 2022 and 2024 editions, mainly to integrate the experience feedback from recent projects, including Flamanville 3 EPR. This paper presents the main evolutions introduced in the 2024 Edition, and the ongoing development for the next edition. All fields covered by the code are concerned: design and analysis rules, material procurement, fabrication, nondestructive testing, and qualification of active mechanical equipment.

Presenting Author: Manuela Triay FRAMATOME

Presenting Author Biography: I have been working for FRAMATOME since 1988, first as a mechanical engineer in the piping and Layout départment, in charge of fat fracture and fatigue analyses for primary and secondary piping.

In 2006, I joined the primary components department and worked as a Design Engineer for new and replacement components (pressurizer, reactor vessel head), but also as technical coordinator of mechanical licensing activities for component replacement and power uprates.

I chaired the AFCEN RCC-M Design Working Group from 2011 to 2022, I am the RCC-M international representative since 2018, and chair the AFCEN RCC-M subcommittee since 2022.

Authors:

Manuela Triay FRAMATOME
Nicolas De Mathan EDF
Benoit Lefever Framatome
Sylvain Puybouffat EDF
Nathalie Safa FRAMATOME
Pauline Bouin EDF
Julien Quéré FRAMATOME
Vincent Giommi EDF