SOME NOTES ON THERMO-MECHANICAL DESIGN OF NUCLEAR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

The present paper describes some fundamental aspects of the thermo-mechanical behaviour of nuclear fuel elements. A general analytical study of thermal shock in these components will be considered, with reference to step variations in boundary conditions and power generation. Then the thermoelastic state will be evaluated as a function of the neutron jlux distribution and the prevention of plastic jlow collapse according to von Mises criterio n will be discussed.