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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Toshiyuki Miyazaki, Toshihiko Sasaki
Nuclear Technology | Volume 194 | Number 1 | April 2016 | Pages 111-116
Technical Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT15-25
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In a previous study, the authors introduced a new nondestructive method to measure stress with a two-dimensional X-ray diffraction image. This method was tested on a carbon steel specimen. To apply this method to the structures of nuclear power plants, it is essential to show that the residual stress of austenitic stainless steel can be measured. We report on an experiment in which the method was used to measure the stress in austenitic stainless steel standards. The results were consistent with the specification of the stress standard and the conventional sin2 ψ method. We conclude that the proposed method is promising for residual stress measurement of austenitic stainless steels.