Influence of Cross-Sectional Shape on Irradiation—Induced Stresses in Graphite Columns

Plane-strain linear elastic models with constant shrinkage coefficients were analyzed to determine the relationship of cross-sectional shapes to irradiationinduced stresses in graphite moderator components. If a relaxation factor is known, results of this study can be applied to a system in viscoelastic creep. The geometries considered are cylinders and prisms containing one or more cylindrical holes and sectors of these configurations. Although particular mechanical properties and fast-flux distributions are assumed, the results imply predictions for other conditions. In the study of multihole prisms, little difference in maximum stresses exists; however, some simply connected sectors have almost negligible in-plane stresses. Concentric cylinders and cylindrical sectors exhibit a very significant reduction of stresses when compared with those of the related thick-walled cylinder.