Fracture mechanical investigation of a thermo shock scenario for a VVER-440 RPV

The paper describes the modelling and evaluation of a pressurized thermal shock (PTS) scenario in a VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel due to an emergency cooling. An axially oriented semi-elliptical crack is assumed to be located in the core welding seam. Two variants of fracture mechanical evaluation are performed: the analysis of a sub-cladding crack and of a surface crack. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models are used to compute the global transient temperature and stress-strain fields. By using a three-dimensional submodel, which includes the crack, the local crack stress-strain field is obtained. Within the subsequent postprocessing using the J integral technique the stress intensity factors KI along the crack front are obtained. The FE results are compared to analytical calculations proposed in the VERLIFE code. The stress intensity factors are compared to the fracture toughness curve of the weld material.