PRESENTATION OF RCC-MR CODE 2007 FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE REACTOR AND ITER PROJECTS: GENERAL OVERVIEW

The fourth edition of the RCC-MR code has been issued in French and English versions on October 2007 by AFCEN (Association Franeaise pour les regles de Conception et de Construction des Materiels des Chaudieres Electro-nucleaires). It is the result of an important work by Areva NP, EDF and CEA to develop and improve design and construction rules of the previous edition. This paper presents the code evolution from the 2002 edition of the RCC-MR code, such as : - Adaptation of the code to the European standardization, making use of the Harmonized European Standards. - Improvement of the creep-fatigue rules for shells and pipes. - Improvement of the Leak-Before-Break procedure and related defect assessment tools. - Enlargement of the scope of the code to be applicable not only to high temperature structures but also to the ITER vacuum vessel, with in particular the development of the "class 2 box" and a specific appendix dealing with specific fabrication requirements of the ITER vacuum vessel. - Extension of the scope of subsections devoted to bolts. - Development of the chapter on laser welding. - Introduction of requirements in line with the new European Pressure Equipment decree and its French declination to nuclear equipment (ESPN) which is mandatory for a French site construction.