Modelling of thickness distribution of a head plate based on forming process simulation analysis

Abstract

In FBR plants the head plate constitutes a part of the boundary of the containment vessel (CV), therefore, it is a very important issue if the function as the boundary is maintained or not in the case of severe accident (SA). Buckling and post-buckling behaviors due to pressure loading must be affected by the thickness distribution of the head plate during press forming process. In this paper non-linear finite element simulation analyses assuming press forming process of a head plate are conducted and the discussion is made comparing the analysis results with the measured results of thickness distribution of the head plate specimen used for the pressure endurance test. And also, the modelling for finite element analyses of head plates is discussed. This time as the first step, axisymmetric analyses are implemented focused on the thickness distribution along the meridional direction of the head plate.