The rules of design by analysis have been widely accepted for the Class 1 Nuclear Pressure Vessel, and two methods, stress classification method (based on the linear analysis) and the direct route (nonlinear analysis by Finite Element (FE) method), have been developed. In the stress classification method, the stress is classified in primary, secondary and peak stresses, and there are many shortcomings in this method. The stress classification is only easy in simple cases, like cylindrical shell under axisymmetric loads. In some cases the elastic analysis result can be non-conservative in particular when a part of primary stresses is considered secondary, like thermal expansion in some piping systems. When the geometry or the loads are more complex (such as, nozzles of reactor pressure vessels (RPV)), it will be an extremely conservative approach if a large part of stresses is considered as primary. Consequently, the direct route based on FE method is an efficient alternative to the linear analyses, and one of the major advantages is to suppress the discussion on the “stress classification in primary versus secondary” associated with the elastic analysis. This work reviews the existing linear design rules in the different codes, such as ASME Code NB 3200 and RCC-M Code B 3200, firstly. Then a typical case study of a large class 1 vessel nozzle, a RPV nozzle, under pressure and piping loads based on linear (stress classification method) and nonlinear rules (direct route) is presented. The case will consider 2D geometries under axisymetrical loads, and the failure models of plastic collapse, plastic instability and local failure are studied. Lastly, a set of proposals to improve the design rules are given.
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2017 25th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
July 2–6, 2017
Shanghai, China
Conference Sponsors:
- Nuclear Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5783-0
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Class 1 Pressure Vessels Available to Purchase
Mingya Chen,
Mingya Chen
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
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Weiwei Yu,
Weiwei Yu
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
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Jinhua Shi,
Jinhua Shi
Amec Foster Wheeler, Gloucester, UK
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Feng Lu
Feng Lu
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
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Mingya Chen
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
Weiwei Yu
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
Jinhua Shi
Amec Foster Wheeler, Gloucester, UK
Feng Lu
Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, China
Paper No:
ICONE25-66910, V005T07A004; 6 pages
Published Online:
October 17, 2017
Citation
Chen, M, Yu, W, Shi, J, & Lu, F. "Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Class 1 Pressure Vessels." Proceedings of the 2017 25th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. Volume 5: Advanced and Next Generation Reactors, Fusion Technology; Codes, Standards, Conformity Assessment, Licensing, and Regulatory Issues. Shanghai, China. July 2–6, 2017. V005T07A004. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE25-66910
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