This paper shows the methodology used for the evaluation of the structural integrity of a boiling water reactor (BWR-5). This evaluation is relevant, because this vessel is the coolant pressure boundary for cooling the nuclear core. In the case of this paper, an axial crack is postulated in the adjacent internal wall of a vessel to the core, which is denominated beltline. Such a crack is subjected to an internal pressure and neutron irradiation. Additionally, a crack on the inlet nozzle of the low-pressure coolant injection (LPCI) was also considered. The analysis presented in this paper, evaluated the transient conditions which take place during the start-up and shutdown of a BWR 5. The neutronic irradiation damage at the beltline was also incorporated to the analysis. It induces an embrittlement. Linear elastic fracture mechanics was applied with the requirements established at the Appendix G of ASME Code Section XI. The finite element method was used to simulate the transient conditions of the components considering the critical parameter, such as the service temperature, thickness, stresses and the material properties.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.