Recent developments in coupled experiments and simulation to understand the fluid–structure dynamics of a Pressurized Water Reactor fuel assembly

Abstract

The proposed paper is dedicated to the description of an extensive research program devoted to understanding fluid–structure interaction mechanisms at all scales of a fuel assembly for a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). This work carried out over the last decade, closely combines modeling and experiments at the highest level, leading to a production of knowledge in the fields of instrumentation, fluid and structure measurements, numerical methods, and simulation, which goes beyond the strict framework of the PWR assembly to apply to a large number of dynamic systems of interest for current and future fission reactors. The article provides an overall synthesis of the past work, as well as a focus on some key outcomes and a description of the numerous remaining perspectives and challenges in an active ongoing research effort.