Technical Topics

Division Matrix

We propose a novel matrix format for organization of conference contributions in divisions, to allow for a more streamlined and smooth organization of technical sessions and presentations.
Divisions DescriptionsAttribute DescriptionsDivision Matrix

Divisions Descriptions

Division A : Mechanics of materials
  • Characterization of properties of materials such as metals, concrete, graphite, high-density polyethylene, rubber, plastics, fuel, cladding and pellet, ceramics, composites, nanomaterials and their constitutive laws for behaviour under monotonic, cyclic and dynamic loadings 
  • Characterization of degradation mechanisms including effects of thermal cycling, aging, embrittlement, welding, stress corrosion, fatigue, creep, cavitation and interactions 
  • Characterization of innovative materials for next generation reactors (small modular reactors, advanced modular reactors) including nano-materials 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division B : External, internal hazard and associated input load characterization
  • Characterization of the loading and identification of the associated uncertainties including design and beyond-design states 
  •  Deterministic hazard assessment, probabilistic hazard assessment Normal operations, operational occurrences, accidental events and severe accidents 
  • Earthquakes, tornadoes, high winds, floods, tsunami, fire, hydrodynamic loads, blast, temperature and climate change effects, (hydrogen/steam deflagration/detonation, steam generator tube rupture, reactor cavity flooding, thermal-hydraulics transient loadings, explosion) 
  • Consequences of climate changes on the loadings, especially on the extreme loadings 
  • Aircraft impact loading, missile impact loading, impulsive loads 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division C: Flow-induced vibrations, fluid structure interaction & thermal-hydraulics response analyses
  • Analysis, prediction and characterization of the flow-induced vibrations on sensitive equipment (pressurizer, primary lines, auxiliary lines) behavior (normal operations, operational occurrences and accidental events) 
  • Characterization of the fluid/structure interaction (molten salt, liquid sodium, etc.) and assessment of the consequences on the behavior of critical systems/structures/components 
  • Mitigation of flow-induced vibrations
Choose one or two Attributes
Division D: Fracture mechanics and structural integrity
  • Experimental and theoretical results on fracture of (metallic, advanced materials, alloys) components and piping 
  • Cracks in welds and crack propagation by creep, fatigue or stress corrosion cracking 
  • Local approach of fracture mechanics and dynamic fracture 
  • Fatigue and creep issues including thermal and environmental effects 
  •  Defects characterization (non-destructive techniques, analytical methods), crack arrest, residual stress, probabilistic damage evaluation 
  • Assessment of metallic components structural integrity (reactor vessels, piping systems) 
  • Leak-before-break assessment, break exclusion 
  • Probabilistic fracture mechanics
Choose one or two Attributes
Division E: Fast-transient response analyses
  • Assessment of the structural response (behavior requirements) of civil engineering buildings and critical equipment due to a fast-transient loading 
    -  Airplane crash, explosion, impact, impact-induced vibrations 
  • Simplified or advanced assessment methodologies 
  • Verification/validation aspects applied to experimental or numerical approaches 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division F: Seismic response analyses
  • Civil structures, equipment, soil/structure/interaction 
  • Determination of the structural response (behavior requirements) of nuclear buildings and critical equipment due to a seismic loading including aftershocks 
  • Simplified or advanced assessment methodologies 
  • Verification/validation aspects applied to experimental or numerical approaches 
  • Seismic isolation 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division G: Non-transient mechanical response analyses
  • Assessment of the structural response (behavior requirements) of civil engineering buildings and critical equipment due to a loading excepting Fast-transient and seismic ones
    - Fatigue, fire, high temperature, high pressure, severe accidents 
  •  Simplified or advanced assessment methodologies 
  • Verification/validation aspects applied to experimental or numerical approaches 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division H: Safety, reliability and risk assessment
  • Application of probabilistic methods to improve design, operation and safety of complex systems 
  • Probabilistic safety assessment for internal and external events including human factors engineering, failure mode analysis and margin studies 
  • Development of risk-informed approaches, risk-based and performance-based regulations 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division I: Fuel mechanics and behaviour
  • Fuel vibration and fretting 
  • Fuel design and constitutive modelling 
  • Fuel failure under operation and accident conditions 
  • Components and material behavior under irradiation 
  • Integrity of fuel systems under transient conditions 
  • Fuel cladding interaction 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division J: Civil and geotechnical engineering
  • Conventional and advanced techniques to ensure a robust design of civil engineering buildings
  • Aging structures/infrastructure, assessment, monitoring and repair
    - Design basis, beyond design basis, design extension
    - Maintenance definition, controllability, monitoring 
  • Characterization of the soil behavior, innovative soil reinforcement systems, follow-up under operations, innovative foundation systems, underground/deeply embedded structures 
  • Liquefaction, slope stability 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division K: Construction, operation and decomissioning management
  • Manufacturing of major components and piping systems / construction of steel and concrete structures 
  •  Manufacturing requirements and quality considerations 
  • Construction management, cost, schedule and optimization 
  • Additive technologies 
  • Modular construction 
Choose one or two Attributes
Division L: Emerging and innovative reactors and technologies
  • Siting, design and construction programs for innovative facilities including research reactors, small modular reactors, advanced reactors, generation IV and fusion reactors and fuel storage facility 
  • Performance and behaviour of components in high-temperature environment and thermal hydromechanics 
  • Design governing accidents and design criteria for innovative facilities 
  •  Safety functions and associated categorization (safety class, mechanical class and quality class) 
  • Regulatory framework, safety research and development and adequacy of codes and standards 
  • Passive safety features 
Choose one or two Attributes

Attributes Descriptions

Attribute 1

Codes and standards

  • Assessment of existing codes and standards, engineering declination of safety principles to specific facility 
  • Code and standards modifications (behavior requirements criteria) 
  • Comparative study of various codes and standards 

Attribute 2

Numerical simulation

  • Use or development of conventional, advanced simulation methodologies 
  • Interpretation of simulation data, data management 
  • Verification and validation methodologies 

Attribute 3

Experimentation

  • Use or development of experimental setup (including in-situ measurement) to create reference data to characterize a specific phenomenon or to assess a degradation/failure criterion 
  • Transposability issues between laboratory experiment to in-site conditions 
  • Assessment of the uncertainties (measurements)

Attribute 4

LTO & Ageing

  • Plant life management, Experience feedback, Destructive/non-destructive testing, Long-term Operation & ageing management
  • Experience feedback to assess the life duration of any systems/structures/components 
  • LTO management programs and associated maintenance strategies including optimizations
    - Non replaceable and replaceable systems/structures/components: vessel, primary lines systems, auxiliary systems, civil engineering structures
    - Ageing phenomena characterization programs and in-site follow-up

Attribute 5

Design, qualification & licensing 

  • Innovative design of systems/structures/components 
  • Basic design and detailed design 
  • Qualification strategies of sensitive systems/structures/components including experimental feedback
    -  Testing, simulation or transposition strategies 
  • Licensing opportunities and challenges 

Attribute 6

 Emerging and innovating approaches 

  • Big data, digitalization, augmented reality, finite element method/building information management coupling 
  • Digital twinning, artificial intelligence-based techniques