• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.425-435
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• 2017

Structural analysis is used not only for large enterprises, but also for small and medium sized ones, as a necessary procedure for strengthening the certification process for product delivery and shortening the time in the process from concept design to detailed design. Open-source solvers that can be used atlow cost differ from commercial solvers. If there is a problem with the input data, such as with the grid, errors or failures can occur in the calculation step. In this paper, we propose a pre- and post-processor that can be easily applied to the analysis of mechanical structural problems by using the existing structural analysis open source solver (Caculix, Code_Aster). In particular, we propose algorithms for analyzing different types of data using open source solvers in order to extract and generate accurate information,such as 3D models, grids and simulation conditions, and develop and apply information analysis. In addition, to improve the accuracy of open source solvers and to prevent errors, we created a grid that matches the solver characteristics and developed an automatic healing function for the grid model. Finally, to verify the accuracy of the system, the verification and utilization results are compared with the software used.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Thermal fatigue of the coolant circuits of PWR plants is a major issue for nuclear safety. The problem is especially accute in mixing zones, like T-junctions, where large differences in water temperature between the two inlets and high levels of turbulence can lead to large temperature fluctuations at the wall. Until recently, studies on the matter had been tackled at EDF using steady methods: the fluid flow was solved with a CFD code using an averaged turbulence model, which led to the knowledge of the mean temperature and temperature variance at each point of the wall. But, being based on averaged quantities, this method could not reproduce the unsteady and 3D effects of the problem, like phase lag in temperature oscillations between two points, which can generate important stresses. Benefiting from advances in computer power and turbulence modelling, a new methodology is now applied, that allows to take these effects into account. The CFD tool Code_Saturne, developped at EDF, is used to solve the fluid flow using an unsteady L.E.S. approach. It is coupled with the thermal code Syrthes, which propagates the temperature fluctuations into the wall thickness. The instantaneous temperature field inside the wall can then be extracted and used for structure mechanics computations (mainly with EDF thermomechanics tool Code_Aster). The purpose of this paper is to present the application of this methodology to the simulation of a straight T-junction mock-up, similar to the Residual Heat Remover (RHR) junction found in N4 type PWR nuclear plants, and designed to study thermal striping and cracks propagation. The results are generally in good agreement with the measurements; yet, in certain areas of the flow, progress is still needed in L.E.S. modelling and in the treatment of instantaneous heat transfer at the wall.