The Stochastic Finite Element Method for Nuclear Applications

J.D. Arregui-Mena, Lee Margetts, Llion Evans, D. V. Griffiths, Anton Shterenlikht, Luis Cebamanos, Paul Mummery

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Nuclear materials are subjected to demanding environments, encountering high temperature gradients and fast neutron fluxes that gradually damage its structure and there-fore change the material properties. Some components of a nuclear reactor determine its life-time, such as the graphite core and steel pressure vessel for fission reactors. In case of fusion reactors the tungsten divertor is expected to be replaced several times during its lifespan. All these materials contain defects and spatial material variability that may contribute to the failure of the component. The Stochastic Finite Element Method or a Random Finite Element Method was chosen in this research to model the spatial material variability in nuclear graphite and other key components of nuclear reactors. This research describes how a direct Monte Carlo Simulation approach was adapted to simulate the calibration of a random field and the modelling of these defects for nuclear graphite. It is also suggested that this method-ology can be applied to fusion reactor modelling.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationVII European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering
    Pages1-44
    Number of pages44
    EditionConference Paper
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2016

    Publication series

    NameVII European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering

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