Flaw tolerance of steam generator tubes under accident conditions

Tests were carried out with a bank of tubes in a water tunnel to determine the tolerance of flawed nuclear reactor steam generator tubes to accident conditions which could result in high cross-flow velocities. Fifteen specimen tubes in all were tested, each having one of five types of circumferential slots machined into the outside wall near one end. The tubes were tested at flow velocities sufficient to induce high fluidelastic-type vibrations. All tubes were tested to failure, either until a leak occurred or to complete severance. Failure surfaces were characterized after testing. (author). 5 refs., 2 tabs., 5 figs