EPSRC Reference: |
EP/L504725/1 |
Title: |
Fracture of Graphite Fuel Bricks |
Principal Investigator: |
Mummery, Professor P |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Eng |
Organisation: |
University of Manchester, The |
Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
Starts: |
01 June 2013 |
Ends: |
30 November 2015 |
Value (£): |
413,476
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
The graphite core in nuclear Advanced Gas cooled Reactors (AGRs) provides channel for fuel cooling and shutdown/
control rod insertion. Damage tolerance assessments need to determine that adequate margins remain for the
integrity of the fuel and the safety systems proper behaviour. For UK existing plants, graphite bricks' cracking is a key
question regarding lifetime management decisions. For the next generation plants, it has an influence on expected lifetimes
and on investment plans.
The objective of this proposal is to gain a good understanding and evaluation of fracture in graphite components by
complementary numerical and experimental approaches. An advanced modelling tool allowing to simulate automatically
crack propagation in graphite bricks will be developed and transferred to industry end-users. An innovative experimental
method will be elaborated to validate these models. Uncertainties on the whole core mechanical behaviour will be
assessed.
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Key Findings |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.man.ac.uk |