R2923-001 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo Rev 0
R2923-001 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo Rev 0
R2923-001 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo Rev 0
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
1 Executive Summary
GD Tech commissioned its branch AP Dynamics to perform a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the
vessel cap component of the ITMRR000086 reactor vessel fabricated by AutoClave France for Total
Energy.
AP Dynamics and GDTech have previously completed the analysis of the pressure boundary of the
reactor using PV Elite to verify conformance of the reactor pressure vessel design when considering a
higher design temperature of 200 °C (from 150 °C). The vessel cap was not evaluated since it does not
fit any standard components covered by ASME Section VIII Division 1.
The purpose of the FEA is to determine the maximum stresses on the vessel cap under design
conditions for comparison against the calculated allowable design stresses for the materials of
construction as per ASME Section VIII Division 2 Part 5, Design by Analysis requirements. The
assessment covers a check against the following failure modes using the elastic-plastic stress analysis
method:
a) Protection against plastic collapse.
b) Protection against local failure.
c) Ratchetting assessment.
The analysis results presented in this technical memo demonstrate that the design of the vessel cap
component is compliant with the requirements of ASME Section VIII Division 2 Part 5 for protection
against the above failure modes.
In addition, an assessment of the quick disconnect collar in accordance to ASME Section VIII Division 1
Appendix 24 is also presented in Section 5. It is demonstrated that the collar design satisfies the
requirements of the code in terms of bolting and design stresses under the new design conditions.
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
2 Model Parameters
2.1 Geometry
GD Tech generated a 3D CAD model of the vessel cap and provided this to AP Dynamics in a STEP file
format (coming from the project STR/2022/TOTAL/002). The STEP file was imported into ABAQUS
CAE for pre-processing. Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of the reactor vessel, highlighting the vessel
cap considered in the analysis. Some discrepancies were found between the drawing received by the
customer and the result of the scanning of the component. The dimensions from the scanned 3D model
and the drawings of GDTech in project STR/TOTAL/2022/002 have been used. Figure 2 shows the FE
model geometry used for the vessel cap analysis.
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
2.5 Loads
2.5.1 Load Cases
Elastic-plastic stress analysis was performed to evaluate the vessel cap for protection against plastic
collapse and local failure. This method provides a more accurate assessment because the actual
structural behaviour of the component is more closely approximated. The redistribution of stress that
occurs as a result of plasticity and deformation characteristics of the component are considered
directly in the analysis.
ASME Section VIII, Division 2 Part 5 requires the consideration of the load case combinations and load
factors when using the elastic-plastic analysis approach (see Figure 5). The following load case
combinations are considered in the analysis:
a) Plastic Collapse Assessment: β(P+ Ps + D).
b) Local Failure Assessment: 1.7(P+ Ps + D).
In both cases, Ps is zero. D is the dead load on the vessel cap and will be due to the self-weight of the
vessel cap and the weight of the magnetic drive-spindle assembly. The weight of the magnetic drive-
spindle assembly is unknown therefore a conservative estimated weight of 24.8 Kg, similar to the
empty weight of the reactor vessel, was used. β is defined as 3.0 for a Class 1 vessel design factor.
Figure 5: Load Case Combinations and Load Factors for an Elastic-Plastic Analysis.
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Figure 7: End Cap Pressure Load and Surface Traction Load Locations
2.5.3 Dead Loads
The dead load on the vessel cap will be due to the self-weight of the vessel cap and the weight of the
magnetic drive-spindle assembly (see Figure 8). The self-weight of the vessel cap is included by
applying a gravity body load to the model. The total weight of the magnetic drive-spindle assembly is
unknown therefore an estimate was assumed based on the total empty weight of the reactor vessel.
This is expected to be conservative.
A nominal weight of 243.2 N was calculated based on an assumed mass of 24.8 kg. The mass of 24.8 kg
was derived from the PV Elite model total mass for the inner and outer cylindrical shells. The load was
applied at the interface between the spindle assembly and the vessel cap as shown in Figure 9.
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
3 Acceptance Criteria
3.1 Protection against Plastic Collapse
Protection against plastic collapse is evaluated by determining the plastic collapse load of the
component using an elastic-plastic stress analysis. The allowable on the component is established by
applying a design factor to the calculated plastic collapse load.
The plastic collapse load is the load that causes overall structural instability due to formation of plastic
hinges. This point is indicated by the inability to achieve an equilibrium solution for a small increase in
load. In the FEA, this means that if the analysis fails to converge, it is indicative that the plastic collapse
load was reached and therefore the component being assessed is considered to have failed the
evaluation for protection against plastic collapse.
3.2 Protection against Local Failure
Protection against local failure is evaluated using Equation 5.6 in Paragraph 5.3.3.1 of ASME Section
VIII Division 2, Part 5 below:
𝜀𝑝𝑒𝑞 + 𝜀𝑐𝑓 ≤ 𝜀𝐿
Where the variables above are defined as:
a) 𝜀𝑝𝑒𝑞 is the equivalent plastic strain calculated in the model.
b) 𝜀𝑐𝑓 is the forming strain which is based on the material and fabrication method in accordance
with Part 6. This is defined as zero in this case as the vessel cap was machined.
c) 𝜀𝐿 is the triaxial strain limit, calculated using the following equation:
𝛼𝑠𝑙 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 + 𝜎3 1
𝜀𝐿 = 𝜀𝐿𝑢 ∙ 𝑒𝑥𝑝 [− ( ) ({ } − )]
1 + 𝑚2 3𝜎𝑒 3
𝜎1 + 𝜎2 + 𝜎3 are the principal stresses and 𝜎𝑒 is the equivalent stress defined by the following
equation:
1
𝜎𝑒 = [(𝜎1 − 𝜎2 )2 + (𝜎2 − 𝜎3 )2 + (𝜎3 − 𝜎1 )2 ]0.5
√2
The values used for 𝜀𝐿𝑢 , 𝛼𝑠𝑙 and 𝑚2 are determined from Table 5.7 in ASME Section VIII Division 2,
Part 5 (see Figure 10), for “Stainless steel and nickel base alloys” and are as follows:
a) 𝜀𝐿𝑢 = 1.009
b) 𝛼𝑠𝑙 = 0.600
c) 𝑚2 = 0.487
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Figure 10: Uniaxial Strain Limit for Use in Multiaxial Strain Limit Criterion
3.3 Ratchetting Assessment
Protection against ratchetting is evaluated by the application, removal, and re-application of the
applied loadings. The ratcheting criteria is evaluated after a minimum of three complete repetitions of
the loading cycle. The criteria for protection against ratchetting is provided below:
a) There is no plastic action (i.e. zero plastic strains incurred) in the component.
b) There is an elastic core in the primary-load-bearing boundary of the component.
c) There is not a permanent change in the overall dimension of the component.
A screening criterion is considered in the analysis wherein if the maximum von Mises stress in the
vessel cap is shown not to exceed yield at nominal load magnitudes (as opposed to the factored values
used in the analysis), then ratchetting is not considered an issue. This is because ratchetting failure is
due to cumulative plastic strain. If yield is not reached, then plastic deformation does not occur. In this
scenario, the application of the loading cycle stated in the code is deemed to be not necessary.
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
4 Results
4.1 Protection against Plastic Collapse
Analysis convergence was reached with the specified load combinations and factors for evaluating
plastic collapse (see Section 2.5.1). Figure 11 shows the summary of the completed analysis. It is
demonstrated that the analysis progressed smoothly without having to cut-back in time step. As
convergence was reached, it means that the plastic collapse load was not reached and therefore failure
due to plastic collapse will not occur under the specified design conditions considered in the analysis.
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
5 Collar Assessment
5.1 Introduction
An assessment of the quick disconnect collar (see Figure 14) to ASME Section VIII Division 1 Appendix
24. The quick disconnect collar clamps the cap to the shell of the reactor vessel as shown in Figure 1. A
previous assessment of the collar design is presented in the ITMRR000086 document package that was
provided to AP Dynamics. The previous assessment considers the collar under a design temperature of
150 °C. The new assessment presented in this report will consider a higher design temperature of
200 °C as per the client requirements.
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
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ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Stress category S1 to S4 are related to hub stresses whilst S5 to S9 are related to clamp stresses.
SAC 141.6
SAH 99.4
SOC 300.0
SAH 300.0
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
The calculated allowable stress for each category in Figure 15, based on an assembly condition
(at 20 °C) and at the operating condition (at 200 °C) is presented in Table 2.
Table 2: Calculated Allowable Design Stress for Clamp Connections
Stress (MPa)
Stress Category Assembly Operating
(20 °C) (200 °C)
S1 212.3 149.1
S2 99.4 99.4
S3 113.3 79.5
S4 113.3 79.5
S5 450.0 450.0
S6 450.0 450.0
S7 240.0 240.0
S8 300.0 300.0
S9 159.0 159.0
The hub moments used to determine the hub stresses are provided as follows:
For the operating condition, the design moment Mo is the sum of the six individual moments MD, MG,
MT, MF, MP and MR, as defined in Paragraph 24-3 in Appendix 24 of ASME Section VIII Division 1. The
bolt load used in the moment calculations is Woperating, as defined in Section 5.2.1.
For the assembly condition, the design moment Mo is based on Equation 5.9 below, using the bolt load
Wassembly, as defined in Section 5.2.1.
0.785𝑊(𝐶 − 𝐺)
𝑀𝑂 = [𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5.9]
tan (∅ + 𝜇)
The calculation of the hub stresses shall be determined for both the operating and the assembly
condition and are calculated from the following equations:
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
The calculation of the clamp stresses shall be determined for both the operating and the assembly
condition and are calculated from the following equations:
In addition, a bearing stress calculation shall be made at the clamp-to-hub contact using the following
equation:
Client Date
TOTAL Feluy 17-JAN-2023
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
6 Bibliography
ASME. (2017). ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 2. New York: The American
Society of Mechanical Engineers.
ASME. (2021). ASME Boiler and Pressure Code, Section VIII Division 1: Rules for Construction of Pressure
Vessels. New York: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
ASME. (2021). ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section II: Materials - Part D: Properties. New
York, NY: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Title By Chk
ITMRR000086 Vessel Cap FEA Technical Memo DDC JH
7 Approvals
Results provided in this document are preliminary. Final results with a professional engineer’s seal
will be provided as part of the full stress analysis report.