Objectives of Nuclear System Reliability and Safety Studies

This paper describes the types of reliability and probabilistic safety studies which have been performed in the commercial nuclear power industry. The role of current and future probabilistic risk evaluations is examined in light of the overall objectives and trends within the industry. The purpose of this examination is to identify the objectives which reliability and safety studies of nuclear systems should have in order to support the objectives of the nuclear industry as a whole. Recommendations are made for the types of developments and applications which should be performed to support these objectives.