Dynamic structural response of LMFBR head closures to hypothetical core disruptive accidents

Presented here is an investigation of the dynamic structural response of the primary vessel's head closure to a hypothetical core disruptive accident (HCDA). Two head-closure designs were considered: the first represents a loop-type design and the second represents a pool-type design. Using representative configurations of liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR), independent models were used (1) to derive loading pressure histories and (2) to study the structural response of the head closures. Results for loading pressures, displacement histories, deformed profiles, stress magnitudes and plastically deformed regions are presented. (Auth.)