Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parameter study for a dimple location in a space grid under the critical impact load

  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The spacer grid assembly, an interconnected array of slotted grid straps embossed with dimples and springs, is one of the main structural components of a pressurized light-water reactor (PWR). It takes the role of supporting the nuclear fuel rods which experience a severe expansion and contraction caused by harsh operational conditions such as an earthquake. The external load by an earthquake can be mainly represented as a lateral load, and the resistance to it is evaluated in terms of dynamic crush strengths. It has been reported that a dimple location in a space grid has an effect on this strength. In this paper, based on this fact, the effect of a dimple location in a 3×3 support grid on impact strength has been investigated as a preliminary parameter study for a full sized support grid. The optimal location of the dimple, about 3.5 mm from the tip of the strap, has been found and some design guidelines for a support grid such as reducing the spring length and the dimple gap have been provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H. J. Kunz, R. Schiffer and K. N. Song, Fuel Assembly Mechanical Design Manual, Siemens/KWU Work-Report U6 312/87/e326 (1987).

  2. L. A. Walton, Zircaloy spacer grid design, Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc., 32 (1979) 601–602.

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. G. Larson, Optimization of the Zircaloy space grid design, Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc., 43 (1982) 160–161.

    Google Scholar 

  4. K. H. Yoon, H. K. Kim, H. S. Kang, K. N. Song and K. J. Park, Shape optimization of the H-shape spacer grid spring structure, J. Korean Nucl. Soci., 33(5) (2001) 547–555.

    Google Scholar 

  5. K. N. Song, et al., Shape optimization of a nuclear fuel rod support structure, 16th Int. Conf. on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology, Washington, DC, U.S.A. (2001) 12–17.

  6. K. H. Yoon, S. P. Heo, K. N. Song and Y. H. Jung, Dynamic impact analysis of the grid structure using multi-point constraint (MPC) equation under the lateral impact load, Computers & Structures, 82 (2004) 2221–2228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. S. H. Lee, J. Y. Kim and K. N. Song, Design improvement of an OPT-H Type Nuclear Fuel Rod Support Grid by Using an Axiomatic Design and an Optimization, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology 21 (2007) 1191–1195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. K. H. Yoon, W. K. In, H. S. Kang and K. N. Song, ICONE 12-49106 (2003).

  9. J. K. Kim, Shape Optimization of a Nuclear Fuel Rod Spacer Grid Considering Impact and Wear, Master thesis, Hanyang university, Korea, (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  10. ASTM E8M-99: Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials (1999).

  11. D. G. Luenburger, Introduction to linear and nonlinear programming, Addison-Wesley (1973).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Soobum Lee

  2. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daedukdaero1045 Yusong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Korea

    Yongwan Kim & Keenam Song

Authors
  1. Soobum Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yongwan Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Keenam Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keenam Song.

Additional information

This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Heoung-Jae Chun

Keenam Song received his B.S. degree in the department of mechanical engineering from Seoul National University in 1980, then went on to receive his M.S. degree at KAIST in 1982. Since then he has served as a researcher, senior researcher, principal researcher, and project manager at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

Soobum Lee is a postdoctoral research associate in the University of Maryland, U.S. He received the B.S. degree in Mechanical Design and Production Engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, in 1998, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Korea, in 2000. His main research interests include structural shape and topology optimization, energy harvester design, nuclear plant design for hydrogen production, robust design using Taguchi method, genetic algorithm, automobile part and system design. He received the best paper award from Korean Society of Mechanical Engineering in 2007.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, S., Kim, Y. & Song, K. Parameter study for a dimple location in a space grid under the critical impact load. J Mech Sci Technol 22, 2024–2029 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-0620-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-0620-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation