Frazer-Nash, the engineering consultancy, has become a member of the R6 nuclear research and development panel.

Frazer-Nash joins British Energy, Serco, Rolls-Royce and The Welding Institute (TWI) on the panel, which conducts world-leading research into residual stresses and fracture mechanics in structural steels, for the benefit of the nuclear energy industry.

A place on the panel means that Frazer-Nash can offer its extensive nuclear engineering expertise in structural integrity – which covers power generation, through-life maintenance and decommissioning – in solving complex engineering challenges in the sector.

R6 panel meetings are held every six months, in which future research and development priorities are agreed by all member companies. The research conducted by the group then forms the basis of technical procedures on fracture mechanics and residual stresses that are used by nuclear engineers the world over. Such research is regularly shared with relevant UK and international organisations.

Colin Elcoate, Nuclear Business Manager at Frazer-Nash, commented: “Our appointment to the R6 panel is significant for a number of reasons – not least because it cements our position as a top-tier company that offers a diverse range of nuclear engineering services. We very much look forward to working with all current members to develop research that keeps the UK at the forefront of nuclear structural mechanics.”

One of Frazer-Nash’s first tasks as part of the panel is to undertake a review of current industry practice into assessing fractures in thin-walled welded structures of nuclear reactors. To date, assessments of such fractures have been significantly conservative. By drawing on its extensive thin-weld experience in the oil and gas and civil aerospace sectors, Frazer-Nash will be making recommendations to the R6 panel around how such conservatisms could in the future be removed.