Structural dynamics in LMFBR containment analysis: a brief survey of computational methods and codes

In recent years, the use of computer codes to study the response of primary containment of large, liquid-metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR) under postulated accident conditions has been adopted by most fast reactor projects. Since the first introduction of REXCO-H containment code in 1969, a number of containment codes have evolved and been reported in the literature. The paper briefly summarizes the various numerical methods commonly used in containment analysis in computer programs. They are compared on the basis of truncation errors resulting in the numerical approximation, the method of integration, the resolution of the computed results, and the ease of programming in computer codes. The aim of the paper is to provide enough information to an analyst so that he can suitably define his choice of method, and hence his choice of programs