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Title: Variations in Zircaloy-4 cladding deformation in replicate LOCA simulation tests. [PWR]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6673111

Five single-rod, heated-shroud replicate burst tests were conducted to study statistical variations in Zircaloy cladding deformation under simulated loss-of-coolant accident conditions. The test conditions used (low steam coolant flow and a heating rate of approx. 10 K/s to tube failure at approx. 775/sup 0/C) were conductive to large deformation and matched those used in two of the Multirod Burst Test Program bundle tests so that the results could be used to aid in interpretation of differences observed for individual rods in bundle tests. The largest variation observed was in burst strain, which ranged from 50 to 96%. Burst temperature ranged from 767 to 779/sup 0/C, burst pressure from 9405 to 9870 kPa, average strain over the heated length from 18 to 23%, and tube volume increase from 39 to 51%. As expected, cladding deformation was influenced by small temperature gradients: the more uniform the temperature, the greater (and more uniform) the deformation.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6673111
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-2810; ORNL/TM-8413; ON: DE83000433
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English