Finite element modelling approach to investigate the degradation of intermediate level waste drums induced from interior metallic corrosion

摘要

The encapsulation of metallic waste occurring from the fuel decladding process into cementitious formulations is a typical path within the British nuclear community. The metallic-grout mixture is stored in stainless steel drums which are maintained temporarily in ambient conditions before ultimate disposal. Some of these drums have exhibited bulges ascribed to internal metallic corrosion. The corrosion products, which occupy larger volume than the parent metals, generate stresses on the surrounding material, which inhibit the long term safety of the containment. Herein, finite element modelling was used to address the effects of the internal volume expansion on the grout and the steel integrity. A parametric study is presented to determine how several factors including the type of the grout, the location and the size of encapsulated metallic parts and the friction at the material interfaces may alter the system's behaviour. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.