Design and assessment of components subjected to creep

Abstract The R5 procedure for assessing the high-temperature response of structures is described and recent progress highlighted. The scope and methodology of R5 are compared with those of existing and proposed high-temperature design codes. For defect-free components, R5 provides a shakedown approach intermediate between the elastic and inelastic routes in codes. As the codes give interaction diagrams based on shakedown concepts for particular loading circumstances, the R5 approach may be considered a generalization of existing methods. For defective components, the Reference stress methods recommended in R5 are described. Proposals for the incorporation of similar approaches in other codes are currently being considered, and these are also described.