The mechanism that resulted in the rupture of an intentionally defected UO2-PuO2 fuel element operating under molten-core conditions and a Zircaloy pressure tube in the PRTR involves a complicated and not fully understood sequence of events. Analysis of observations and data generated as a result of postmortem examinations permits a plausible rupture mechanism to be hypothesized without serious contradictions. The authors chose to postulate a single rupture mechanism although it is recognized that variations in this basic mechanism may exist.
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