Creative Design-by-Analysis Solutions Applied to High-Temperature Components

Abstract

Elevated temperature design has evolved over the last two decades from design-by-formula philosophy of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections I and VIII (Division 1), to the design-by-analysis philosophy of Section III, Code Case N-47. The benefits of design-by-analysis procedures, which were developed under a US-DOE-sponsored high-temperature structural design (HTSD) program, are illustrated in the paper through five design examples taken from two U.S. liquid metal reactor (LMR) plants. Emphasis in the paper is placed upon the use of a detailed, nonlinear finite element analysis method to understand the structural response and to suggest design optimization so as to comply with Code Case N-47 criteria. A detailed analysis is cost-effective, if selectively used, to qualify an LMR component for service when long-lead-time structural forgings, procured based upon simplified preliminary analysis, do not meet the design criteria, or the operational loads are increased after the components have been fabricated. In the future, the overall costs of a detailed analysis will be reduced even further with the availability of finite element software used on workstations or PCs.