Three dimensional aspects of fast reactor containment studies

In assessing the strength of the primary containment of a pool type fast reactor with respect to the dynamic loading from core disruptive accidents (HCDA's) proper account must be taken of the 3-dimensional geometry of the components within the primary containment vessel. This paper reports on a series of experiments and the associated analysis carried out at AEE Winfrith to investigate this aspect of the containment loading. The experiments suggest that asymmetries in the containment loading, induced by symmetric or asymmetric rings of intermediate heat exchangers and sodium pumps, will be small. Calculations performed with the 2-dimensional axisymmetric code SEURBNUK provide a satisfactory estimate of the loads on the IHX's/pumps and their effect on the containment loading. (orig.)