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Integrated System Validation: Methodology and Review Criteria (NUREG/CR-6393, BNL-NUREG-52483)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: November 1996
Date Published: January 1997

Prepared by:
J. O'llara, W. Stubler, J. Higgins, W. Brown

Prepared for:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Division of Reactor Controls and Human Factors
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001
NRC Job Code E2090

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Abstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews the human factors engineering (HFE) aspects of advanced nuclear power plant designs. In order to support the advanced reactor design certification reviews, the HFE Program Review Model was developed. The model describes the HFE program elements that are necessary and and sufficient to develop an acceptable detailed design and provides the review criteria for their evaluation. One of the review elements is verification and validation. The purpose of this document is to discuss the detailed methodological considerations necessary for a review of an HFE integrated system validation. A conceptual approach, or paradigm, to integrated system validation is presented which identifies important validation principles and their relationships. The validation paradigm was used to identify the methodological aspects of the validation process that are needed to meet the general paradigm requirements. The methodology must support a logical and defensible inference to be made from validation tests to predicted integrated system performance under actual operating conditions. The validation paradigm is based upon four general forms of validity: System representation, performance representation, test design, and statistical conclusion validity. Validating an integrated system is based establishing that these four types of validity are satisfied. Such assessments are made by reviewing the methodology used to conduct validation tests. Methodological factors relevant to each of the aspect of validity are discussed.

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