The Role of Failure Data in Plant Aging Management and Life Extension

The aging management and life extension process for the United States (US) nuclear industry has been refined and improved over the years. It has become an efficient and effective method to ensure that the nuclear plants in the US can be safely operated beyond their original 40-year operating license. The wealth of failure data from Nuclear Regulatory Commission and industry aging research programs in combination with plant specific data has provided a strong technical foundation for the aging management and long-term plant operation. This paper examines the role that generic and plant specific failure data has played in the development, application, and refinement of aging management and life extension efforts at US nuclear plants.