Abstract
In an effort to evaluate the mechanical stability of fuel assembly (FA), this paper focuses on the FA bowing in the loss of coolant (LOCA) accident. To reach this aim, by calculating the axial compression force due to the longitudinal expansion of the rod and comparing it with the critical axial compression force, the mechanical stability of FA can be evaluated in LOCA accident. The core thermal–hydraulic parameters during LOCA accident are calculated by the RELAP code and FA bowing is simulated by ABAQUS software. The thermal–hydraulic parameters calculated by the RELAP code during the LOCA accident have been provided to ABAQUS software as boundary conditions. Increasing the compression force of the spring due to the longitudinal expansion of the FA guide tube along with the initial bowing can lead to more bowing of FA and loss of FA stability. By comparing the maximum allowable limit of axial compression force and the axial compression force calculated for VVER-1000 reactor in the LOCA accident, it is concluded that the fuel assembly of VVER-1000 reactor has sufficient stability in LB-LOCA accident.
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