An impulse response model for the prediction of thermal striping damage

A model based on the impulse response method is presented for the calculation of thermal fatigue damage when a flat plate is subjected to thermal striping. For the case where one face of the plate contains a defect and is exposed to a random temperature time history, maximum crack tip stress intensity factors are calculated and crack growth times are estimated. Comparisons are made with alternative methods for the calculation of fatigue damage and the method is used to analyse the damage suffered by a typical component in the above core structure of a Fast Breeder Reactor.