Qualification by testing

Qualification by testing is primarily used to verify the seismic adequacy of equipment components and, in some cases, the seismic adequacy of specific building structures. Qualification by testing may also be used as a special investigative tool to verify the real capacity of structures and equipment when they are subjected to other external events. 

Test data can be tested and processed on the basis of the corresponding nuclear or industrial standards [29-35]. The types of testing can be summarized as follows  

The qualification test programme may include the following elements  

The test results should show a margin of at least 40% against the failure limit for design purposes and of at least 25% against the failure limit for re-evaluation purposes, respectively. References [33-36] provide further details on procedures and evaluation of test results for seismic testing of equipment. 

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Section 2 discusses the safety implications of the design process and the relevant acceptance criteria required for different safety classes. In Section 3 the design principles for the achievement of the protection objective are recommended and the concept of periodic safety review is discussed in relation to the design issues. Guidance on an appropriate selection of methods for seismic qualification is provided in Section 4, recommendations for qualification by analysis are provided in Section 5, and qualification by test and... 

Seismic qualification by analysis should be used for items without a functional safety requirement that are unique and that are of a size or scale to preclude their qualification by testing. Civil engineering structures, tanks, distribution systems and large items of equipment are usually qualified by analytical methods after the modelling requirements discussed above have been fulfilled. 

Test qualification of items in seismic categories 1 and 3 should be carried out when failure modes cannot be identified or defined by means of analysis or earthquake experience. Direct qualification by testing makes use of type approval and acceptance tests. Low impedance (dynamic characteristic) tests should be limited to identify similarity or to verify analytical models. Code verification tests should be used for the generic verification of analytical procedures, which typically use computer codes. The methods of testing depend on the required input, weight, size, configuration and operational characteristics of the item, plus the characteristics of the available test fadlify. 

When data are transferred between computers through a network, the accuracy of data transfer should be verified. This can be achieved by comparing printouts before and after transfer or comparing hash factors before and after data transfer. More detailed information on the qualification and testing of networks using hash factors can be found in Reference 9. 

From the above discussions a detailed FS can be prepared which can be compared against GxP requirements and, if deemed to be acceptable, can be approved by members of the project team, including the quality representative. The FS must be cross-referenced with the URS to ensure that it encapsulates all of the users requirements. The creation of the FS is critical in terms of validation as the Operational Qualification (QQ) test scripts will be written against this document, ensuring that all implemented functionality is tested. 

Mehner, A. W. et al. Spherical Fuel Elements for Advanced HTR Manufacture and Qualification by Irradiation Testing. J. Nucl. Mater. 171, 9-18 (1990),... 

SOPs help to narrow the scope of the operational qualification by reducing the test cases to the procedures approved in the SOPs. The operational qualification is performed by an independent team that may consist of qualified customers and may include qualified vendor personnel. The team has to be independent of the operator or developer groups to allow an impartial assessment of the fitness of the application. 

For equipment or systems controlled or monitored by a computer-related system, the functional testing cycle approach to computer validation is included and performed as part of the Operational Qualification. Functional testing verifies that the integrated hardware and software program perform in accordance with the functional specifications developed during the requirements phase. 

Seismic qualification by analysis alone, or by a combination of analysis and testing, may be used when justified. The analysis program can be justified... 

Large items (such as a large turbine), or if the functionality is ensured by the sole integrity of the component, can gain qualification by analysis. It is possible to combine experimental tests and analyses. The analysis has to demonstrate that the relative displacements of the structural elements which form the particular piece of equipment, are not such to prevent their movement. 

Environmental Qualification SSC classification dependent Testing or NDE for SCSSC. Analysis for SSSSC. Review for environmental qualification by analysis only. Backfit only if risk/cost effective. 

As emphasized previously (Bansal 2004), software for instrument control, data acquisition and processing is nowadays usually all loaded on a computer connected to the instrument. Thus the functions of both hardware and software in providing analytical data are inextricably intertwined and the DQ should be performed by the manufacturer, who should also validate this software and provide users with a summary of the validation. However, in the installation phase, qualification of the entire instrument and software system is more efficient and indeed meaningful than modular vahdation of the software and hardware separately. Thus, the user qualifies the instrument control, data acquisition and processing software by testing the instrument according to the AIQ process described in Section 9.5.1a. 

In this sense, a major expected output of TC Regional Project RLA/4/018 is to attain the design of a dual purpose cask and its qualification by means of testing a scaled 1 2 prototype. For this activity, an agreement among the participants is the early involvement of the regulatory bodies of each country. 

SEISMIC QUALIFICATION BY MEANS OF TESTING Type of testing and typical application fields... 

In general the quality and detail of the information used to qualify individual items directly on the basis of data from experience should not be less than are required for direct qualification by analysis or testing. As is the case for direct qualification by analysis or testing, earthquake experience may be used as a basis for qualification by the indirect method also. 

Beside technical aspects mentioned above, there are additional considerations for selecting NDT methods for a specific purpose. Cost, frequently, is decisive and major cost factors are (1) test duration, including time used for setup and post-test analysis and assessment (2) type of equipment, its sophistication, calibration, and maintenance (compatibility with previous records from periodic inspection may require costly maintenance of aging equipment) (3) equipment operator, specifically operator training and certification (191) (4) accreditation of test agency (5) qualification or validation of the NDT method (192) and (6) accuracy and precision estimates required by test standards or quahty management systems. 

The seismic qualification of seismic category I mechanical and electricaJ equipment should meet the requirements of IEEE 344-1987. It is done by testing, analysis or combination of bodi, as appropriate. 

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