Apparatuses and methods for structurally replacing cracked welds in nuclear power plants

An apparatus configured to structurally replace a cracked weld in a nuclear plant, the apparatus comprising:

• a body that comprises a first end, a second end, and a portion between the first and second ends;
• wherein the first end comprises a first gripping portion,
• wherein the second end comprises a second gripping portion,
• wherein when the body is in an unflexed state, the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are a first distance apart,
• wherein when the body is in a flexed state, the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are a second distance apart,
• wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance,
• wherein when the body is in the flexed state, the first gripping portion is configured to enter a first slot on a first side of the cracked weld in a structure that includes the cracked weld and the second gripping portion is configured to enter a second slot on a second side of the cracked weld in the structure that includes the cracked weld, and
• wherein when the body is in the unflexed state, the first gripping portion is configured to grip the first slot on the first side of the cracked weld in the structure that includes the cracked weld and the second gripping portion is configured to grip the second slot on the second side of the cracked weld in the structure that includes the cracked weld.