Development and benchmarking of a mechanical model for GFR plate-type fuel

The reference fuel design currently being considered within the Generation-IV Gas-cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) project is a ceramic plate matrix with a honeycomb inner structure containing small fuel cylinders. The fuel is mixed plutonium-uranium carbide, while the matrix material is silicon carbide. The present paper describes the mechanical part of a thermal-mechanical model being developed for studying the transient behavior of this highly heterogeneous fuel type. Benchmarking has been carried out against detailed finite-elements modeling (FEM). The resultant thermal-mechanical model can provide reliable fuel and cladding (matrix) stress/strain conditions to evaluate temperatures and neutronic feedbacks. As such, it has been integrated into PSI's coupled code system 'FAST', which aims at the comprehensive safety analysis of advanced fast reactor systems. The detailed FEM analysis of the GFR fuel has been useful not only for benchmarking the new model, but also for obtaining an in-depth understanding of fuel stress/strain characteristics, which cannot be reproduced with simplified models. Thereby, the range of applicability of the new model has clearly been defined. In particular, the 3D FEM analysis has revealed a concentration of stresses at the pellet corners during pellet/matrix contact, which could lead to fuel element failure. This effect is found to be mitigated considerably, if the fuel pellets are shaped in a manner which enhances the contact area.