Low Cycle Fatigue Reliability Evaluation of Central Column in Fast Reactor

Monte Carlo method was used to evaluate low cycle fatigue reliability which was the main influence factor in the design of central column, and it provided design basis and reliability support for the cladding design of central column. ANSYS software was used to conduct thermal analysis and structure analysis of central column, then its cumulative fatigue damage in lifetime was evaluated by ASME code, and the reliability analysis was carried out through hypercube Latin sampling. The results show that the reliability of central column is 0.808, and under the significance of 2.5% the most sensitive factors for low cycle fatigue failure of central column are the times of emergency shutdown, welding and irradiation. It is suggested that the cladding should be added to central column.