Finite element mesh generation of nuclear power plant components includingsurface and embedded cracks

摘要

Fracture mechanics procedures application provides effective and relatively fast critical dimensions determinationrnand acceptance evaluation of cracks located in NPP components. The use of computer codes based on numerical proceduresrnsuch as finite element method or boundary element method is necessary for this purpose in most cases.rnWe have dealt with critical crack dimensions assessment applying finite element method computer code ADINA uprnto now. The preparation of calculation meshes is the most complicated and time consuming step in the crack evaluationrnsequence. In common cases this task is practically unrealizable using hand-made method creation. Several specialized crackrnmesh generators (e.g. ORMGEN e.t.c.) generate nice meshes but with unnecessary large number of elements frequently.rnTherefore we have decided to develop algorithms and computer codes enabling automatic crack “insertion“ into any placernof intact original component FE mesh. All this work is carried out within graphic environment of user friendly GiD computerrncode as a new “problem type”. ADINA input data are generated as a final product of these programmes.