Investigation of Warm Prestress for the Case of Small delta T During a Reactor Loss-of Coolant Accident.
Abstract
An experimental investigation was conducted to characterize the benefits of warm prestress (WPS) in limiting crack extension in the wall of a nuclear vessel during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) followed by introduction of relatively cold water by the emergency core cooling system. The present research emphasized material behavior under conditions of a small delta T between the temperature of WPS and the failure temperature as might occur during a LOCA. The results have demonstrated that fracture will not occur during a simultaneous unloading and cooling of the crack-tip region following WPS even though the critical K sub ic of the virgin material is achieved. The results also demonstrated that, for the conditions investigated, fracture will not occur unless the level of WPS has been exceeded. It is concluded that WPS produces an 'effective' elevation in K sub ic and that this elevation will limit crack extension in the vessel wall so as to retain the coolant. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA054346
Entities
People
- Frank J. Loss
- J. Russell Hawthorne
- R. A. Gray Jr.
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory