Risk assessment for the nuclear industry, with emphasis on external hazards
Description
The consequential safety events at a nuclear power plant are characterized by rare events involving large uncertainties. This is especially true for external hazards, given the limited data available. Risk assessments offer a systematic approach to examining these events by addressing three key questions: (1) what can go wrong, (2) how likely it is, and (3) what the consequences are.
In this brief tutorial, we’ll delve into the fundamental concepts of probabilistic risk assessment, with a focus on external hazards, particularly seismic hazards. We’ll also explore the risk-informed framework, which integrates risk assessment with deterministic methods. Following a brief historical overview, we’ll examine some recent applications and insights gained from them. Additionally, the tutorial will cover recent developments and challenges, including the use of risk-informed and performance-based methods in advanced reactor designs.