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Title: FY 2016 Status Report: CIRFT Testing Data Analyses and Updated Curvature Measurements

Abstract

This report provides a detailed description of FY15 test result corrections/analysis based on the FY16 Cyclic Integrated Reversible-Bending Fatigue Tester (CIRFT) test program methodology update used to evaluate the vibration integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) under normal transportation conditions. The CIRFT consists of a U-frame testing setup and a real-time curvature measurement method. The three-component U-frame setup of the CIRFT has two rigid arms and linkages to a universal testing machine. The curvature of rod bending is obtained through a three-point deflection measurement method. Three linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) are used and clamped to the side connecting plates of the U-frame to capture the deformation of the rod. The contact-based measurement, or three-LVDT-based curvature measurement system, on SNF rods has been proven to be quite reliable in CIRFT testing. However, how the LVDT head contacts the SNF rod may have a significant effect on the curvature measurement, depending on the magnitude and direction of rod curvature. It has been demonstrated that the contact/curvature issues can be corrected by using a correction on the sensor spacing. The sensor spacing defines the separation of the three LVDT probes and is a critical quantity in calculating the rod curvature once themore » deflections are obtained. The sensor spacing correction can be determined by using chisel-type probes. The method has been critically examined this year and has been shown to be difficult to implement in a hot cell environment, and thus cannot be implemented effectively. A correction based on the proposed equivalent gauge-length has the required flexibility and accuracy and can be appropriately used as a correction factor. The correction method based on the equivalent gauge length has been successfully demonstrated in CIRFT data analysis for the dynamic tests conducted on Limerick (LMK) (17 tests), North Anna (NA) (6 tests), and Catawba mixed oxide (MOX) (10 tests) SNF samples. These CIRFT tests were completed in FY14 and FY15. Specifically, the data sets obtained from measurement and monitoring were processed and analyzed. The fatigue life of rods has been characterized in terms of moment, curvature, and equivalent stress and strain..« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Temperature Materials Lab. (HTML)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
OSTI Identifier:
1287034
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-2016/276
AF5865010; NEAF346; ORNL/SR-2016/276; TRN: US1601678
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; BENDING; DATA ANALYSIS; FUEL RODS; CORRECTIONS; SPENT FUELS; TESTING; FATIGUE; LENGTH; FLEXIBILITY; SENSORS; PROBES; ACCURACY; STRAINS; STRESSES; TEST FACILITIES; MEASURING METHODS; MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS; LAND TRANSPORT; spent nuclear fuel; fuel transport; fuel vibration integrity; reversible bending fatigue test

Citation Formats

Wang, Jy-An John, and Wang, Hong. FY 2016 Status Report: CIRFT Testing Data Analyses and Updated Curvature Measurements. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.2172/1287034.
Wang, Jy-An John, & Wang, Hong. FY 2016 Status Report: CIRFT Testing Data Analyses and Updated Curvature Measurements. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1287034
Wang, Jy-An John, and Wang, Hong. 2016. "FY 2016 Status Report: CIRFT Testing Data Analyses and Updated Curvature Measurements". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1287034. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1287034.
@article{osti_1287034,
title = {FY 2016 Status Report: CIRFT Testing Data Analyses and Updated Curvature Measurements},
author = {Wang, Jy-An John and Wang, Hong},
abstractNote = {This report provides a detailed description of FY15 test result corrections/analysis based on the FY16 Cyclic Integrated Reversible-Bending Fatigue Tester (CIRFT) test program methodology update used to evaluate the vibration integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) under normal transportation conditions. The CIRFT consists of a U-frame testing setup and a real-time curvature measurement method. The three-component U-frame setup of the CIRFT has two rigid arms and linkages to a universal testing machine. The curvature of rod bending is obtained through a three-point deflection measurement method. Three linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) are used and clamped to the side connecting plates of the U-frame to capture the deformation of the rod. The contact-based measurement, or three-LVDT-based curvature measurement system, on SNF rods has been proven to be quite reliable in CIRFT testing. However, how the LVDT head contacts the SNF rod may have a significant effect on the curvature measurement, depending on the magnitude and direction of rod curvature. It has been demonstrated that the contact/curvature issues can be corrected by using a correction on the sensor spacing. The sensor spacing defines the separation of the three LVDT probes and is a critical quantity in calculating the rod curvature once the deflections are obtained. The sensor spacing correction can be determined by using chisel-type probes. The method has been critically examined this year and has been shown to be difficult to implement in a hot cell environment, and thus cannot be implemented effectively. A correction based on the proposed equivalent gauge-length has the required flexibility and accuracy and can be appropriately used as a correction factor. The correction method based on the equivalent gauge length has been successfully demonstrated in CIRFT data analysis for the dynamic tests conducted on Limerick (LMK) (17 tests), North Anna (NA) (6 tests), and Catawba mixed oxide (MOX) (10 tests) SNF samples. These CIRFT tests were completed in FY14 and FY15. Specifically, the data sets obtained from measurement and monitoring were processed and analyzed. The fatigue life of rods has been characterized in terms of moment, curvature, and equivalent stress and strain..},
doi = {10.2172/1287034},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1287034}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}