Modelling the Mechanical Behaviour of CANDU Fuel Cladding

Abstract

Models for the mechanical behaviour of fuel cladding were developed in the period 1973-1983 by staff at AECL CRNL. The models for the mechanical properties of fuel cladding during normal operation were a by-product of programs during the period 1970-1975 to understand the origin of fuelcladding defects caused by power ramps at Douglas Point and Pickering A. Models for accident coonditions were, initially, based heavily on mechanical properties data generated by McGill University and Westinghouse Canada under contract to AECL in the late 1960's and early 1970's and attempts to interpret the data in terms of the underlying deformation mechanisms. The model for normal operating conditions was embodied in the ELESTRES/ELESIM series of codes, and the models for accident conditions were embodied in NIRVANA.