Abstract
Finite element models of thermally oxidised nuclear graphite were generated using three-dimensional high-resolution tomography images. Bulk tensile strength was then evaluated using a smeared-crack model, which shows an exponential decay in the bulk strength with increasing pore volume. The finite element results were in good agreement with radiolytic oxidation experiments. A stochastic analysis using a modified Weibull theory was also performed to describe the evolution of the failure process with increasing load for different levels of porosities.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Nuclear Materials |
Volume | 381 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 31 2008 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The financial support of British Energy Generation Ltd. is gratefully acknowledged. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the sponsor.