Model for determining stresses in the structure of a fast reactor fuel assembly

Deformations in a reactor core are due to two metallurgical phenomena, swelling of the steel under irradiation and irradiation creep when the structure is under stress. The first step is to determine the deformation of each sub-assembly supposed free, subjected to a neutron flux or temperature gradient, and the second is to study the interactions amongst most of the sub-assemblies. Under the influence of the deformations the interaction value will change with time, and this development must be determined. Calculation methods were developed for the purpose. A number of computing codes already exist and it is necessary to complete them, modify them if necessary, create new ones as the case arises and form a coherent whole