1. Mechanics of Materials
2. Fracture Mechanics and Structural Integrity
3. Applied Computation, Simulation and Animation
4. Characterization of Loads
5. Modeling, Testing and Response Analysis of Structures, Systems and Components
6. Design and Construction Issues
7. Safety, Reliability, Risk and Margins
8. Issues Related to Operations, Inspection and Maintenance
9. Fuel Cycle Facilities, Waste Management and Decommissioning
10. Challenges of New Reactors
Division 1 - Mechanics of Materials
Properties of metallic and non-metallic materials (such as concrete, graphite, high-density polyethylene, rubber, plastics), and constitutive laws for monotonic, cyclic and dynamic loadings. Experimental and analytical methods applied to nonlinear behavior of isotropic and anisotropic materials. Degradation mechanisms including effects on behavior of materials and welds of thermal cycling, aging, embrittlement, welding, stress corrosion, fatigue, creep, cavitation, and interactios. Fuel and Clad materials. Nano materials for next generation reactors and associated facilities. Multi-scale material modeling. Development of design rules and associated standards.
Division 2 - Fracture Mechanics and Structural Integrity
Experimental and theoretical results on brittle and ductile fracture metallic, non-metallic and concrete materials. Cracks in welds and crack propagation by creep or fatigue. Local approach of fracture mechanics. Dynamic fracture. Fatigue and creep issues including thermal and environmental effects. Simplified methods. assessment of steel components (reactor vessels, piping systems, etc.). Leak-before-break assessment/break exclusion. Crack arrest, residual stress, probabilistic damage evaluation and fuel integrity.
Division 3 - Applied Computation, Simulation and Animation
Development in innovative computational methods for linear and nonlinear analysis (inelasticity, material damage, large deformations), impact, creep damage, vibratios, impact and blast, turbulence, fluid dynamics, flow-induced vibrations, thermal hydromechanics, fluid-structure interaction. Computer-aided engineering and information technology. Computer software and control of errors. Verification and validation. Application of multi-scale material modeling.
Division 4 - Characterization of Loads
Probabilistic and deterministic definition and consideration of uncertainties of design and beyond-design loads and load combinations for critical facilities caused by normal operations, accidental events and earthquakes, tornadoes, high winds, floods, aircraft impact, missile impact, impulsive loads, flow-induced vibrations, hydrodynamic loads, fire, blast, temperature and environmental effects, severe accidents (hydrogen/vapor deflagration/detonation, steam generator tube rupture, reactor activity flooding, etc.).
Division 5 - Modeling, Testing and Response Analysis of Structures, Systems and Components
Modeling and response analysis of structures (including foundations), systems, lifelines and components subjected to extreme loads. Validation of analytical methods based on experimental results. Rules, codes, standards.
Division 6 - Design and Construction Issues
Design, manufacture and construction of fuel and core structure, pressure vessel; steel and concrete containment structures; other concrete structures (storage, processing, etc.); piping and major components, fuel cask design. Capacity, ductility, redundancy and quality considerations. Design of passive safety systems. System isolation and energy absorption. Construction management. Rules, codes, standards and quality assurance.
Division 7 - Safety, Reliability, Risk and Margins
Reliability of structures, systems and components. Application of probabilistic methods to improve design, operation and safety of complex systems. Probabilistic safety assessment (PSA). Internal and external events. PSA and margin studies. Development of risk-informed approaches and risk-based regulations, codes and standards. Human factors engineering. Failure mode analysis. Assessment for severe accidents.
Division 8 - Issues Related to Operations, Inspection and Maintenance
Life cycle management including inspection, instrumentation, online monitoring and diagnostic, maintenance, repair and replacement. Life and service prediction, reliability, availability, deterministic and probabilistic integrity risk assessment. Utility vs. regulatory perspectives on periodic safety reviews, license renewal, safety and economic issues. Non-destructive examination (NDE) methods and techniques for structural integrity assessments, reliability and validation of NDE methodologies, and NDE training. Operational feedback and lessons learned. Operation, codes and standard.
Division 9 - Fuel Cycle Facilities, Waste Management and Decommissioning
Siting, design and construction of fuel cycle facilities including fuel storage, fuel racks and dry storage. Evaluation of existing facilities. Risk-informed and performance-based considerations. Probabilistic safety assessment. Issues related to long-term and short-term waste storage and transportation.
Division 10 - Challenges of New Reactors
Siting, design and construction programs for small modular reactors including research reactors, advanced, generation IV and fusion reactors. Performance and behavior of metallic and non-metallic materials and components in high temperature environment. Thermal hydromechanics. Regulatory framework, safety research and development and harmonization of codes and standards. Passive safety features.
