Development of a thermal-mechanical-material behavior analysis code for the dispersion-plate-type fuel

In this study, the relevant thermal-hydraulic, mechanic-material and burnup effect calculation models were established. On the basis of these mathematic and physic models, a thermal- mechanic-material coupling analysis code for a dispersion-plate-type fuel assembly was independently developed with the consideration of the burnup effects. The coupling program was applied to perform the thermal-mechanical-material behavior analysis of a dispersion-plate-type fuel assembly. Major physical parameters at different burnup stages were well predicted, including flux distribution, temperature profile, Mises stress and mechanic deformations. The result shows that geometric sizes of flow channels are the key parameters determining the coolant flux distribution and the temperature profile of the edge plate presents substantial asymmetry as a result of asymmetric heat transfer caused by the asymmetric geometry. Furthermore, the equivalent stress of base material increased rapidly with burnup because of the thermal expansion and burnup effects, which resulted in substantial plastic deformation and mechanical damage. In addition, the mechanism and process of blistering was investigated for blistering prediction. The result shows that due to the increasing fission gas pressure and the deteriorating yield stress of the cladding, fuel plate blistering may happen when the burnup depth up to a certain value and fuel plate will finally fall into failure as a result of over plastic deformation.