Effects of the curvatures and creep on the thermo-mechanical behaviors in curved U-Si/Al dispersion fuel plates under irradiation condition

Curved U-Si/Al dispersion fuel is a promising candidate for the conversion of high-performance research reactors, particularly for high burnup conditions. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model was developed to investigate the thermo-mechanical behavior of U-Si/Al fuel plates under irradiation, with a focus on the effects of curvature and creep. The model incorporates thermal expansion, irradiation-induced swelling, and creep, to simulate the performance of fuel plates under varying curvatures. The results demonstrate that: (1) the temperature distribution is very consistent in different curvatures regardless of creep; (2) creep significantly relaxes stress in the cladding, reducing the maximum Mises stress, while in the absence of creep, curvature has a greater impact on stress distribution; (3) the radial displacement of fuel plates is significantly influenced by creep, especially in plates with larger curvature radii. These findings are crucial for ensuring irradiation safety and optimizing the design of U-Si/Al fuel elements.