A coupled thermo-mechanical and neutron diffusion numerical model for irradiated concrete

A coupled thermo-mechanical and neutron diffusion numerical model for irradiated concrete

Finite Element Method, Neutron Diffusion, Irradiated Concrete, Coupled Problem

download PDF

Abstract: Neutron irradiation plays an important role in nuclear-induced degradation for concrete shielding materials, specifically in determining the radiation induced volume expansion (RIVE) phenomenon driving its failure. When analyzing at the structural level the effects of nuclear radiation on concrete, a non-uniformed distribution of neutron radiation must be considered. This can be done via particle transport calculations preventive to the thermo-mechanic study, or by solving numerically the coupled set of governing equations of the problem. In this work the second approach is pursued in the theoretical framework of the Finite Element Method (FEM). The proposed formulation not only considers an accurate neutron transport model based on the two-group theory, but also it includes the effects induced by thermal neutrons to the temperature field. The formulation lends itself to include RIVE and the other relevant radiation induced effects on the mechanical field. The governing equations are presented and discussed, and some results obtained by using the general 3D numerical formulation proposed herein are compared to results from literature obtained via analytical methods addressing simplified 1D problems.

Keywords
Finite Element Method, Neutron Diffusion, Irradiated Concrete, Coupled Problem

Published online 3/17/2022, 6 pages
Copyright © 2023 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Finite Element Method, Neutron Diffusion, Irradiated Concrete, Coupled Problem, A coupled thermo-mechanical and neutron diffusion numerical model for irradiated concrete, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 26, pp 23-28, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644902431-4

The article was published as article 4 of the book Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

References
[1] NRC, Standard review plan for review of subsequent license renewal applications for nuclear power plants, NUREG-2192, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Washington, DC, 2017.
[2] Y. Jing, Y. Xi, Modelling long-term distribution of fast and thermal neutron fluence in degraded concrete biological shielding walls, Construction and Building Materials, 292 (2021) 123379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123379
[3] C.E. Majorana, V.A. Salomoni, B.A. Schrefler, Hygrothermal and mechanical model of concrete at high temperature, Materials and Structures, 31(210) (1998) 378-386. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480710
[4] V.A. Salomoni, G. Mazzucco, C.E. Majorana, Mechanical and durability behaviour of growing concrete structures, Engineering Computations, 24 (2007) 536-561. https://doi.org/10.1108/02644400710755906
[5] B. Pomaro, G. Xotta, Salomoni V.A., Majorana C.E., A thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical model for plain irradiated concrete in nuclear shielding, Materials and Structures 55(1) (2022) 14. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01844-1
[6] S. A. Chester, C. V. Di Leo, and L. A. Anand, Finite Element implementation of a coupled diffusion-deformation theory for elastomeric gels, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 52 (2015) 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2014.08.015
[7] B. Qin, Y. Zhou, and Z. Zhong, A computational model for diffusion-reaction-deformation coupled problems and its finite element implementation, Engineering Computations 39 (2021) 837-857. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-02-2021-0084
[8] Y. Le Pape, Structural effects of radiation-induced volumetric expansion on unreinforced concrete biological shields, Nuclear Engineering and Design, 295 (2015) 534-548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2015.09.018
[9] B. T. Price, K. T. Horton Spinney, Radiation shielding, Pergamon Press, London, UK, 1957.
[10] R.G. Jaeger, Engineering compendium on radiation shielding, Volume 2, Springer, Berlin, Germany, 1970.
[11] M.F. Kaplan, Concrete radiation shielding: nuclear physics, concrete properties, design, and construction, John Wiley & Sons, NY, USA, 1989.
[12] Y. Khmurovska, P. Štemberk, T. Fekete, and T. Eurajoki, Numerical analysis of VVER-440/213 concrete biological shield under normal operation, Nuclear Engineering and Design, 350 (2019) 58-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.05.004