Proposal of simple model for investigating irradiation behavior of nuclear-grade graphite

Saijo, Tomoaki ; Mizuta, Naoki ; Hasegawa, Toshinari  ; Suganuma, Takuro; Shimazaki, Yosuke ; Ishihara, Masahiro ; Iigaki, Kazuhiko 

Nuclear-grade graphite is used for core components of High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) due to excellent heat resistant properties. The physical properties of this graphite change with temperature and neutron irradiation, as well as exhibit complex behavior such as irradiation deformation and creep deformation. Then, stress analysis code has been developed for the graphite. In previous study, the code has been used to evaluate the shutdown stress by residual strain that accumulates with neutron irradiation. However, the effects of change in physical properties such as Young's modulus and thermal expansion-coefficient on shutdown stress have not been fully understood. Therefore, an evaluation model based on a simplified beam model was developed to clarify the effects of changes in physical properties and complex deformations on stresses occurring during operation and reactor shutdown, and to contribute to the development of graphite structures with longer lifetimes. As an application example, the effects of changes on various physical properties on operational and shutdown stresses were clarified for graphite components in the temperature range from 600 to 800C.