skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Numerical studies of large penetrations and closures for containment vessels subjected to loadings beyond the design basis

Abstract

Numerical simulations of the macro-deformations of the sealing surfaces (gasketed junctures) of a PWR steel containment vessel's equipment hatch and a BWR Mk II containment vessel head have been performed. Results for the equipment hatch juncture indicate that the rotations of the hatch cover and penetration sleeve must be accounted for when performing leakage analysis because they can effect the compression of the gasket even though the gasket is in a pressure-seated configuration. Results from a leakage analysis indicated that excessive leakage can occur if the surface roughness is high and/or the compression set is high. Results for the Mk II head show that both the temperature and pressure loadings must be taken into account to obtain realistic responses. The temperature difference between the flanges and bolts has the important net effect of keeping the gasketed juncture closed, that is in metal-to-metal contact. Due to the high accident temperature, the gasket itself was found to achieve 100% compression set and thus could not perform its sealing function within the juncture.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6704253
Report Number(s):
CONF-8406124-11
ON: DE84014732
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31-109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. workshop on containment integrity, Washington, DC, USA, 13 Jun 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; BWR TYPE REACTORS; CONTAINMENT SHELLS; REACTOR ACCIDENTS; LEAKS; PWR TYPE REACTORS; CLOSURES; COMPRESSION; DEFORMATION; DYNAMIC LOADS; GASKETS; PRESSURIZING; RESPONSE FUNCTIONS; SEALS; ACCIDENTS; CONTAINMENT; FUNCTIONS; REACTORS; WATER COOLED REACTORS; WATER MODERATED REACTORS; 220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety; 210100 - Power Reactors, Nonbreeding, Light-Water Moderated, Boiling Water Cooled; 210200 - Power Reactors, Nonbreeding, Light-Water Moderated, Nonboiling Water Cooled

Citation Formats

Kulak, R F, Hsieh, B J, Kennedy, J M, Ash, J E, and McLennan, G A. Numerical studies of large penetrations and closures for containment vessels subjected to loadings beyond the design basis. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Kulak, R F, Hsieh, B J, Kennedy, J M, Ash, J E, & McLennan, G A. Numerical studies of large penetrations and closures for containment vessels subjected to loadings beyond the design basis. United States.
Kulak, R F, Hsieh, B J, Kennedy, J M, Ash, J E, and McLennan, G A. 1984. "Numerical studies of large penetrations and closures for containment vessels subjected to loadings beyond the design basis". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6704253.
@article{osti_6704253,
title = {Numerical studies of large penetrations and closures for containment vessels subjected to loadings beyond the design basis},
author = {Kulak, R F and Hsieh, B J and Kennedy, J M and Ash, J E and McLennan, G A},
abstractNote = {Numerical simulations of the macro-deformations of the sealing surfaces (gasketed junctures) of a PWR steel containment vessel's equipment hatch and a BWR Mk II containment vessel head have been performed. Results for the equipment hatch juncture indicate that the rotations of the hatch cover and penetration sleeve must be accounted for when performing leakage analysis because they can effect the compression of the gasket even though the gasket is in a pressure-seated configuration. Results from a leakage analysis indicated that excessive leakage can occur if the surface roughness is high and/or the compression set is high. Results for the Mk II head show that both the temperature and pressure loadings must be taken into account to obtain realistic responses. The temperature difference between the flanges and bolts has the important net effect of keeping the gasketed juncture closed, that is in metal-to-metal contact. Due to the high accident temperature, the gasket itself was found to achieve 100% compression set and thus could not perform its sealing function within the juncture.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6704253}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}

Conference:
Other availability
Please see Document Availability for additional information on obtaining the full-text document. Library patrons may search WorldCat to identify libraries that hold this conference proceeding.

Save / Share: