A two-dimensional thermomechanical simulation of a gas metal arc welding process
A low heat input gas metal arc (GMA) weld overlay process is being investigated as a possible means to repair Savannah River nuclear reactor tanks in the event cracks are detected in the reactor walls. Two-dimensional thermomechanical simulations of a GMA welding process were performed using the finite element code ABAQUS to assist in the design of the upcoming weld experiments on helium-charged specimens. The thermal model correlated well with existing test data, i.e., fusion zone depth and thermocouple data. In addition, numerical results revealed that after cool-down the final deformation of the workpiece was qualitatively similar to the shape observed experimentally. Based on these analyses, conservative recommendations were made for the workpiece dimensions, weld pass spacing, and thermomechanical boundary conditions to ensure the experiments would be as representative as possible of welding on the reactor walls. 12 refs., 13 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DR00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6768141
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-90-8204; ON: DE91000489
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
GAS METAL-ARC WELDING
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
REACTOR VESSELS
REPAIR
A CODES
CORROSION
CRACKS
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
LEAKS
PRODUCTION REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
ARC WELDING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAINERS
FABRICATION
JOINING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
REACTORS
SAFETY
SIMULATION
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WELDING
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication
220700 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Plutonium & Isotope Production Reactors
220900 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety