LIRA-FEM software for the nuclear power industry

The V International Conference "Prospects of Innovation Implementation in Nuclear Power Engineering" was held by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in December 2023. Industry professionals debated the following queries:

What are the trends in nuclear power development?

How do we respond to the safety problems of nuclear power plants?

What developments can Ukrainian companies offer?

The Head of Technical Support for Operation Extension of the Scientific and Technical Centre of "NNEGC "Energoatom", Sergey Radchenko, said in his report:

Almost half of the 441 nuclear power plant reactors around the world are operating beyond their intended lifetime. Six power plants in the USA currently hold operating licences valid for 60–80 years, while another 70 are in the queue. Sergey Radchenko claims that this is a difficult process. A team of ten to fifteen specialists needs three to five years to complete the calculations for one power unit. The final report determines a new service life and evaluates the capabilities of elements and resources based on these computations. Out of the 15 power units in Ukraine, 12 have already had their service lives extended by this process.

Continued operation of nuclear power facilities

JSC "NNEGC "Energoatom" employs new developments and technologies, including unique high-technology innovations realised in the LIRA-FEM software, when implementing steps to increase safety within the framework of extending the service life of power units.

Experts from the joint stock company "NNEGC "Energoatom" and professionals from LIRALAND Group, a leading developer of cutting-edge computer-aided design software, are actively involved in this process.

It should be mentioned that LIRA-FEM has been the primary Structural Analysis Software offering in Ukraine since 2019. In the order № 944-r dated September 16, 2019 of the National Atomic Energy Generating Company regarding "implementation of the list of building codes for safety of nuclear units and facilities for radioactive waste (RW) management," the state enterprise "NNEGC "Energoatom" recommends the LIRA-FEM software for analysis of building structures of nuclear power plants.

The practical application of LIRA-FEM software has yielded positive results, attesting to its efficiency and effectiveness in determining the parameters for the stress-strain state and in the justification of the strength, bearing capacity, seismic stability, and safety of key engineering systems and structures, including buildings and technological equipment. These results are obtained from actual industrial facilities, specifically power units of the nuclear power plants and radioactive waste (RW) facilities.

The results of the analyses performed in LIRA-FEM software for justification of the serviceability and safety of power units in nuclear power plants and RW facilities have received positive evaluations from customers and from Ukrainian and foreign experts in the field of nuclear and radiation safety.

The vast majority of potential types of power unit components (structures) in nuclear power plants and RW facilities are covered by the LIRA-FEM software. Therefore, the operability and safety of such facilities may be evaluated and justified using the LIRA-FEM software in an efficient manner.