Test system for evaluating spent nuclear fuel bending stiffness and vibration integrity

J. A. Wang, H. Wang, B. B. Bevard, R. L. Howard, M. E. Flanagan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A reversible pure bending test system has been developed to support an NRC research project. The test system can be used to test and characterize static bending stiffness as well as the vibration integrity of spent nuclear fuel. The reversible bending is conducted utilizing a U-frame setup with the push-pull force applied at the loading point. The U-frame setup can be integrated into the test machine in either vertical or horizontal layouts. The deformation of the rod specimen is measured directly using three-point deflection, and therefore the curvature of deformed rod specimen can be easily estimated. The functionality of the test system has been demonstrated using surrogate rods in out-of-hot cell tests. The relationship of total strain versus the number of cycles to failure exhibits a well-defined trend. It has been further shown that flexural rigidity can be used as an index to characterize the integrity of the SNF.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication14th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference, IHLRWMC 2013
Subtitle of host publicationIntegrating Storage, Transportation, and Disposal
Pages1075-1082
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2013
Event14th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference: Integrating Storage, Transportation, and Disposal, IHLRWMC 2013 - Albuquerque, NM, United States
Duration: Apr 28 2013May 2 2013

Publication series

Name14th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference, IHLRWMC 2013: Integrating Storage, Transportation, and Disposal
Volume2

Conference

Conference14th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference: Integrating Storage, Transportation, and Disposal, IHLRWMC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAlbuquerque, NM
Period04/28/1305/2/13

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