2. Maximumist approach: example of the nuclear industry

2.1 Context

The nuclear industry faces a number of challenges when it comes to mechanical fatigue justification. The major difficulties to be considered are :

• very large structures, which can exceed ten meters in length (large components);

• a complex architecture with many parts needed for the required functionality;

• in-service loads, mainly of a thermo-hydraulic nature (thermal transients, mixtures, very high flow rates), which are difficult to reproduce experimentally.

Given the high level of safety required in this very specific field of activity, regulatory requirements have been introduced to govern the design and operation of nuclear...