Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Evaluation at ENEA of the fluid effects on the seismic response of the French RAPSODIE core mock-up

Abstract

Studies in progress in the framework of the Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) of IAEA CRP on “Intercomparison of Liquid Metal Fall Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) Seismic Analysis Codes” include analysis of the results of shake table tests carried out by CEA in air and water on the “Rapsodie” core mock-up. This mock-up contains a large number of core elements, is characterized by rather reduced tank wall - to - core diameter ratio, and was tested with and without restraint ring. As a contribution of Italy, this paper reports a numerical study which had been performed by ENEA to fully assess the fluid-structure interaction model applicable to the seismic analysis of restrained Liquid Metal Reactor (LMR) cores. The first purpose was to check the adequacy of the model previously developed based on the results of shake table tests of groups of 7 and 19 PEC core elements. The second purpose was to improve this model so as to account for the effects of reduced thickness of the liquid layer surrounding the core. Both purposes of the study were fully achieved in spite of some uncertainties related to the core geometry and element contraint conditions.

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Reference:

Research co-ordination meeting on intercomparison of liquid metal fast reactor seismic analysis codes. Vienna (Austria). 26-28 Sep 1994

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--829, pp:207-232