Predicting critical flow velocity leading to laminate plate collapse—flat plates

Abstract

The Oregon State University (OSU), Hydro Mechanical Fuel test Facility (HMFTF) is designed to hydro-mechanically test prototypic plate type fuel. OSU's fuel test program is a part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), formerly known as the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor program. One of the GTRI's goals is to convert all civilian research, and test reactors in the United States from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to a low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in an effort to reduce nuclear proliferation.An analytical model has been developed and is described in detail which complements the experimental work being performed by the OSU HMFTF, and advances the science of hydro-mechanics. This study investigates two methods for determining the ‘critical flow velocity’ for a laminate plate. The objective is accomplished by incorporating a flexural rigidity term into the formulation of critical flow velocity originally derived by Donald R. Miller, and employing sandwich structure theory to determine the rigidity term. The final outcome of this study results in the developing of a single equation for each of three different edge boundary conditions which reliably and comprehensively predicts the onset of plate collapse. The two models developed and presented, are termed the monocoque analogy and the ideal laminate model. Of these two models, the ideal laminate model is the most resolved and comprehensive in its predictions.