Citation

Joksimovic V, Vesely WE. Reliab. Eng. 1980; 1(1): 69-78.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0143-8174(80)90016-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper offers an overview of uses and limitations of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) techniques in evaluating safety of nuclear power in the US as seen and experienced by the authors. It discusses subjects like PRA contributions to the defense-in-depth philosophy adopted in the US many years ago for licensing nuclear power plants, needs to expand its present role, present pitfalls, the Three Mile Island (TMI) accident sequence, retrospective and prospective safety improvements, quantitative safety goals and the nuclear fuel cycle.