Improvements in pressure tube diametral creep predictions and statistical error modeling

The improvements in the uncertainty estimation and model predictions of pressure tube diametral creep in CANDU fuel channels using a statistical error modeling method is presented in this paper. The statistical error modeling was successfully completed using real inspection data from the Bruce B CANDU reactor. The result was a methodology, which ensured a more accurate and realistic approach in predicting pressure tube diameter and estimates of the modeling uncertainties when compared to more commonly used statistical methods.