’R’ Procedures 

Structural integrity assessment procedures have been developed and used within the U.K. power generation industry for more than twenty years. The procedures are recognised internationally and are known as R5 and R6. These procedures incorporate extensive experience in fracture mechanics, finite element analysis and testing methods but are being continuously developed to account for advances in the understanding of fracture mechanics and the behaviour of engineering materials and structures.

International research and experimental programmes continue to provide new information, which is used as a basis to extend and support both procedures.