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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Zhifang Gao, Lei Zhao, Yongdian Han
Nuclear Technology | Volume 210 | Number 3 | March 2024 | Pages 471-485
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2023.2229602
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The residual stress of a safe-end/nozzle dissimilar metal welded joint in nuclear power plants was investigated by finite element simulation coupled with a measurement method. Cladding, butting, dissimilar metal multipass welding, machinery processes, and in-service condition were all considered to investigate the evolution of residual stress. The numerical simulation matched well with the measured values, validating the effectiveness of the numerical simulation. Tensile residual stress occurred at both inner and outer surfaces due to a double-side-welding sequence. Moreover, the highest stresses in the outer surface were located at the interface between the SA508 and clad layer due to the difference of expansion materials across the welded joint. The machinery process would greatly reduce the residual stress level and produce compressive residual stress in the base metal. When the safe end was subjected to working conditions, the tensile residual stress obviously was reduced especially on the inner surface.