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RCC-M (rules for design and construction of nuclear components)
C. Heng, J.M. Grandemange, A. Morel
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10.1016/0029-5493(87)90003-3
RCC-M (rules for design and construction of nuclear components)
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Abstract
The paper deals with a presentation of the design rules included in the French RCC-M
code applicable to mechanical components of PWR nuclear islands and published by
the French Society for Design and Construction rules for Nuclear Island Components
(AFCEN). Particular attention is paid to the major principles which constitute the
background of the rules of the code and to recent developments included in the code.
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References (17)
• D. Moulin et al.
Correction of the Poisson effect in the elastic analysis of low cycle fatigue
Int. J. Pres. Vess. and Piping
(1985)
• Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear
Islands (RCC-M) AFCEN Paris (January 1983)
• order relative to the application of pressure vessel regulations to nuclear water
boilers
Journal Officiel de la République Française
(February 26, 1974)
• C. Aflalo et al.
Sizing rules for the pressure design of pump casings
• ASME III Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
(1983)
• Y. D'Escatha, Prevention of plasticity related damages and simplified
methodology using only purely elastic…
• SMiRT-Post Conf. Seminar on Inelastic Analysis and Life Prediction in High
Temperature Environment
• J.P. Prost et al.
Elastic-plastic strain correction factor in stainless steel pipes and nozzles subjected to
thermal shocks
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.
RCC-M - Design and Conception Rules for Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear
Islands
Creators
• AFCEN, 92 - Paris la Defense (France)
Description
The design and construction rules applicable to mechanical components of PWR
Nuclear Islands (RCC-M) are a part of the collection of design and construction rules for
nuclear power plants. It covers the rules applicable to the design and manufacture of
pressure boundaries of mechanical equipment of pressurized water reactors (PWR). The
pressure components subject to the RCC-M are specified in A 4000. They include the
reactor fluid systems (primary, secondary and auxiliary systems) and other components
which are not subject to pressure: vessel internals, supports for pressure components
subject to the RCC-M, nuclear island storage tanks. When a pressure equipment is
subject to the RCC-M, all its elements subject to pressure are also, in accordance with
the provisions of A 4000, and these elements are the same class as the component. In
this case all the provisions of the RCC-M are applicable: design, procurement,
manufacture, inspection and pressure testing. Elements which are not subject to
pressure and which are subject to the RCC-M may be covered within the Code by limited
specific provisions (procurement of materials for example). The other rules applicable to
this equipment must be in contractual form. The assemblies comprising pressure
equipment assembled by a manufacturer to constitute an integrated and functional
whole, shall be subject to the rules indicated in this Code. Main objectives of Code
Requirements are to ensure the integrity and mechanical stability over the equipment
design life. Function ability and operability of equipment are not directly addressed in
the Code. The RCC-M contributes to ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
These requirements depend on the applicable regulatory context. The RCC-M is
representative of the state of the art as concerns the design and manufacture of PWR
components, ensuring an overall safety level tested through experience. The RCC-M
consists of five sections, which provide rules for the design and construction process of
equipment. Section I is divided into subsections providing specific rules for different
component types and classes. Sections II to V provide rules for the following technical
fields: - Section II covers requirements for the procurement of parts and products. -
Section III specifies rules for destructive testing and non-destructive examination. -
Section IV specifies rules for the qualification and performance of welding operations. -
Section V specifies rules for manufacturing operations other than welding. Section I
comprises subsections numbered alphanumerically: - Subsection A covers all general
requirements relating to application of these rules. - Subsections B, C, D, E, G, H, J and P
are applicable to: pressure components of a given class (vessels (vessels, heat
exchangers), pumps, valves (excluding actuators) and piping), specific components
(Reactor internals, Containment pipe penetration), and all classes of a given type of
component (Supports, Small pressure components, Low pressure or atmospheric
storage tanks)
Additional details
Additional titles
Original title (French)
RCC-M - Regles de conception et de construction des materiels mecaniques des ilots
nucleaires REP
Publishing Information
Publisher
AFCEN
Imprint Place
Paris la Defense (France)
ISBN
2-913638-24-4
Imprint Pagination
[3000 p.]
08 June 2018
[Link]
Introduction to AS 4000
AS 4000, more formally known as the Australian Standard AS 4000-1997 General
Conditions of Contract, is one of the most widely used forms of head contract for
construction projects in Australia.
Whereas contractors tend to regard the risk profile of AS 4000 as fairly balanced, some
principals consider the contract to be weighted in favour of the contractor.
Where to get it
AS 4000 is published by Standards Australia Limited, which is part of Intertek
Inform (previously known as SAI Global Standards). It is protected by copyright and you
must pay a licence fee to use it.
You can purchase a copy of the AS 4000 here.
When buying AS 4000, be sure to buy the right version. You will notice that different
types of licences are available (reference version, multiple use versions, editable
versions and so on). Licence fees vary, and you will need to choose the version that best
suits your circumstances.
How to assemble it
As the formal title suggests, AS 4000 contains the general conditions of contract. You
will need to compile the other contract documents and complete the annexure.
One thing you will need is a document to formalise your entry into a contract that
contains the AS 4000 general conditions. (If you buy AS 4000, you will notice that there is
nowhere to sign.)
This is normally done in one of two ways:
• a ‘formal instrument of agreement’, or
• a letter of acceptance.
Both documents serve much the same purpose, although most principals prefer a
formal instrument of agreement to ensure there is no doubt about which documents are
included in the contract.
You can purchase the Australian Standard Formal Instrument of Agreement (AS 4950),
which is designed to be used with AS 4000, here.
For access to our template Formal Instrument of Agreement (editable version), check
out our AS 4000 Contract User Guide here.
The basic features of AS 4000
Some of the basic features of AS 4000 are as follows:
1. Lump sum price. The contractor is required to execute the works for a fixed price
and within a fixed timeframe. It does not allow any adjustments to the contract
sum for rise and fall.
2. Fixed timeframe. The contractor is required to ensure the works are completed
by an agreed ‘date for practical completion’, or else liquidated damages will
apply.
3. Practical completion. The contract acknowledges that construction projects
can often be used and occupied before all works, including minor works, are
completed. This is embodied in the concept of ‘practical completion’.
4. Variations. The contract prescribes a process for dealing with variations.
Relevantly, the contractor may not vary the works unless directed in writing.
5. Extensions of time. The contractor may claim extensions of time to the date for
practical completion if it is delayed by a ‘qualifying cause of delay’, such as an act
or omission by the Principal. The contractor can also claim delay costs in some
circumstances.
6. Provisional sums. Where the design of part of the works is not sufficiently
developed to enable the contractor to provide a fixed price, the parties can agree
on a ‘provisional sum’ instead. The price of these items is adjusted once the final
cost is known.
7. Separable portions. The works can be divided into separable portions (or
stages), with each of them potentially having a different access date, date for
practical completion and liquidated damages rate.
Distinguishing features of AS 4000
There are a number features that set AS 4000 apart from other standard form contracts.
They include:
1. No time bars (for the most part). Clause 41.2 provides that a party’s failure to
comply with a notice or claim requirement will entitle the other party to claim
damages for a breach of contract, but will not bar or invalidate the claim. Note
that there are exceptions (for example, in relation to a latent condition), and a
failure by the contractor to notify a claim may nonetheless result in the
contractor losing its entitlement. You can read more about time bars here.
2. Apportionment of concurrent delays. Where a delay is caused by a qualifying
cause of delay and a non-qualifying cause of delay, the contract allows the
superintendent to apportion the resulting delay according to the respective
contributing causes. This is different to AS 2124 and other forms of contract,
where the existence of a concurrent non-qualifying cause of delay will disentitle
the contractor from claiming an extension of time.
3. Relief for latent conditions. The effect of a latent condition is a deemed
variation. The contractor can claim the costs associated with a latent condition,
except those incurred more than 28 days before it notified the superintendent of
the issue.
4. Dispute resolution. Arbitration is the default method for resolving disputes (as
opposed to mediation, expert determination, resolution by a dispute board or
other types of dispute resolution processes). You can read about the difference
between arbitration and mediation here.
5. Deemed approval of EOTs. If the superintendent does not respond to the
contractor’s request for an extension of time within 28 days of receiving it, the
request is deemed to have been approved and an extension of time will be
granted for the full amount of time claimed.
Common amendments
Many principals will not agree to sign AS 4000 in its unamended form. Instead, they will
often seek to incorporate amendments or special conditions (read more about common
amendments to AS 4000 here). This is principally for three reasons.
First, AS 4000 is now more than 20 years old. Since then, various pieces of legislation
have been passed that can affect the parties’ rights and obligations under the contract.
Examples include legislation concerning GST, security of payment, proportionate
liability, personal property security and work health and safety.
Second, and as mentioned earlier, many principals consider the risk profile of AS 4000
to be too heavily weighted in favour of the contractor. For example, principals will often
incorporate time bars, remove any deemed approval provisions, and introduce clauses
that will reduce the circumstances in which adjustments to the contract sum or date for
practical completion can be claimed.
Third, principals will sometimes seek to use AS 4000 as the foundation for an ECI
contract. (You can read more about ECI contracts here.) AS 4000 can be a good
document to use for this purpose, but would require modification because it is not
written as an ECI agreement.
Want to know more about AS 4000? Our AS 4000 Contract User Guide is
available here.
Related Posts
• 10 differences between AS 4000 and AS 2124
• 10 things you should know about AS 4000
• What is a qualifying cause of delay under AS 4000?
• Common amendments to AS 4000
• Practical completion under AS 4000
• 10 differences between AS 4000 and AS 2124
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