Effects of embedded cracks and residual stresses on the integrity of a reactor pressure vessel

The effect of welding residual stress and cladding/base interface residual stress on the crack driving force is studied. Surface cracks are assumed in the study of residual stresses. Results show that considering realistic welding residual stresses may increase KI by about 5 MPa·m0.5, while the cladding/base interface residual stress has a negligible effect on KI. The reason is that the cladding residual stress is only localized to the interface and it decreases significantly through the vessel wall. Considering welding residual stress increases the Weibull stress and fracture probability of the RPV.