Preliminary Evaluation of Core Compaction Phenomenon: Methodological Approach

Author(s):  
Rosa Lo Frano ◽  
Giovanni Pugliese ◽  
Giacomo Grasso ◽  
Giuseppe Forasassi

Nuclear reactors have to be maintained in a critical state so as to keep the chain fission process stationary and under control. Nuclear stability considerations dictate that the geometry of the core be closely controlled at all times: therefore any modification of it must be predictable, compatible with the requirements of the interfacing reactor systems and safely manageable by (intrinsic and engineered) control mechanisms. This study deals with the evaluation of the deformation of core (and restraint system) geometry due to dynamic perturbations. This deformation may determine, at large or small extent, an assembly compaction, that is generally characterized by a radial inward displacement and, eventually, results in an insertion of reactivity. To the aim it is of meaningful importance to set up and develop an overall and reliable methodological approach to be used in designing the core system (all structures and components characterizing the core region) and evaluating its performance under operation and accident condition. In particular a LMR reactor configuration similar to the Advanced Lead-cooled Fast Reactor European Demonstrator - ALFRED (300 MWth) has been considered. The assessment of the dynamic behaviour of a LMR core is particularly needed for seismic design purposes: these solicitations could deform the core system and fuel assembly. A preliminary finite element model, in which all the core sub-assemblies were represented as masses distributed on the supporting plate, was carried out in order to investigate the dynamic response of the structures once confidence was established by sensitivity analyses of size and type of the adopted elements. The preliminary results indicate that the core region is undergoing local deformations (of about 3 cm) that could influence the normal reactor operation. Although any deformation influences the normal reactor operation, it is expected that the reactivity specifically related to this deformation will not pose concerns to the safe manageability of the associated abnormal operation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Gainotti

Abstract The target article carefully describes the memory system, centered on the temporal lobe that builds specific memory traces. It does not, however, mention the laterality effects that exist within this system. This commentary briefly surveys evidence showing that clear asymmetries exist within the temporal lobe structures subserving the core system and that the right temporal structures mainly underpin face familiarity feelings.


Author(s):  
Philip D. Lunger ◽  
H. Fred Clark

In the course of fine structure studies of spontaneous “C-type” particle production in a viper (Vipera russelli) spleen cell line, designated VSW, virus particles were frequently observed within mitochondria. The latter were usually enlarged or swollen, compared to virus-free mitochondria, and displayed a considerable degree of cristae disorganization.Intramitochondrial viruses measure 90 to 100 mμ in diameter, and consist of a nucleoid or core region of varying density and measuring approximately 45 mμ in diameter. Nucleoid density variation is presumed to reflect varying degrees of condensation, and hence maturation stages. The core region is surrounded by a less-dense outer zone presumably representing viral capsid.Particles are usually situated in peripheral regions of the mitochondrion. In most instances they appear to be lodged between loosely apposed inner and outer mitochondrial membranes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special Issue on First SACEE'19) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
Giorgia Di Gangi ◽  
Giorgio Monti ◽  
Giuseppe Quaranta ◽  
Marco Vailati ◽  
Cristoforo Demartino

The seismic performance of timber light-frame shear walls is investigated in this paper with a focus on energy dissipation and ductility ensured by sheathing-to-framing connections. An original parametric finite element model has been developed in order to perform sensitivity analyses. The model considers the design variables affecting the racking load-carrying capacity of the wall. These variables include aspect ratio (height-to-width ratio), fastener spacing, number of vertical studs and framing elements cross-section size. A failure criterion has been defined based on the observation of both the global behaviour of the wall and local behaviour of fasteners in order to identify the ultimate displacement of the wall. The equivalent viscous damping has been numerically assessed by estimating the damping factor which is in use in the capacity spectrum method. Finally, an in-depth analysis of the results obtained from the sensitivity analyses led to the development of a simplified analytical procedure which is able to predict the capacity curve of a timber light-frame shear wall.


1978 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bono ◽  
Margaret Polisher
Keyword(s):  

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Jianwei Shao ◽  
Cuidong Xu ◽  
Ka Wai Eric Cheng

The rail transit system is a large electric vehicle system that is strongly dependent on the energy technologies of the power system. The use of new energy-saving amorphous alloy transformers can not only reduce the loss of rail transit power, but also help alleviate the power shortage situation and electromagnetic emissions. The application of the transformer in the field of rail transit is limited by the problem that amorphous alloy is prone to debris. this paper studied the stress conditions of amorphous alloy transformer cores under different working conditions and determined that the location where the core is prone to fragmentation, which is the key problem of smoothly integrating amorphous alloy distribution transformers on rail transit power supply systems. In this study, we investigate the changes in the electromagnetic field and stress of the amorphous alloy transformer core under different operating conditions. The finite element model of an amorphous alloy transformer is established and verified. The simulation results of the magnetic field and stress of the core under different working conditions are given. The no-load current and no-load loss are simulated and compared with the actual experimental data to verify practicability of amorphous alloy transformers. The biggest influence on the iron core is the overload state and the maximum value is higher than the core stress during short circuit. The core strain caused by the side-phase short circuit is larger than the middle-phase short circuit.


1984 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 257-258
Author(s):  
Michael Rosa ◽  
Jorge Melnick ◽  
Preben Grosbol

The massive H II region NGC 3603 is the closest galactic counterpart to the giant LMC nebula 30 Dor. Walborn (1973) first compared the ionizing OB/WR clusters of the two H II regions and suggested that R 136, the unresolved luminous WR + 0 type central object of 30 Dor, might be a multiple system like the core region of NGC 3603. Suggestions that the dominant component of R 136, i.e. R 136A, might be either a single or a very few supermassive and superluminous stars (Schmidt-Kaler and Feitzinger 1982, Savage et al. 1983) have recently been disputed by Moffat and Seggewiss (1983) and Melnick (1983), who have presented spectroscopic and photometric evidence to support the hypothesis of an unresolved cluster of stars. We have extended Walborn's original comparison of the apparent morphology of the two clusters by digital treatment of the images to simulate how the galactic cluster would look like if it were located in the LMC


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed-Ali Mosayebi ◽  
Morteza Esmaeili ◽  
Jabbar-Ali Zakeri

Review of technical literature regarding to train-induced vibrations shows that the effects of unsupported railway sleepers on this issue have been less investigated. So, the present study was devoted to numerical investigations of the mentioned issue. In this regard, first the problem of longitudinal train–track dynamic interaction was simulated in two dimensions by using the finite element method and the developed model was validated through comparison of the results with those obtained by previous researchers. In the next stage, a series of sensitivity analyses were accomplished to account for the effects of value of gap beneath the unsupported sleeper(s) and the track support stiffness on increasing the sleeper displacement and track support force. Moreover, the raised sleeper support force was introduced as applied load to a two-dimensional plane strain finite element model of track in lateral section and consequently the train-induced vibrations were assessed. As a result, a series of regression equations were established between the peak particle velocity in the surrounding environment of railway track and the sleeper support stiffness for tracks without unsupported sleepers and with one and two unsupported sleepers.


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