EPJ Nuclear Sci. Technol. 9, 7 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjn/2022050

Regular Article

Turbulence-induced vibrations prediction through use of an anisotropic pressure fluctuation model

¹ Nuclear Research and consultancy Group (NRG), Westerduinweg 3, 1755 LE Petten, The Netherlands
² Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands

^* e-mail: noutvdbos@gmail.com

Received: 28 July 2022
Received in final form: 22 September 2022
Accepted: 7 November 2022
Published online: 12 January 2023

Abstract

In nuclear fuel rod bundles, turbulence-induced pressure fluctuations caused by an axial flow can create small but significant vibrations in the fuel rods, which in turn can cause structural effects such as material fatigue and fretting wear. Fluid-structure interaction simulations can be used to model these vibrations, but for affordable simulations based on the URANS approach, a model for the pressure fluctuations must be utilised. Driven by the goal to improve the current state-of-the-art pressure fluctuation model, AniPFM (Anisotropic Pressure Fluctuation Model) was developed. AniPFM can model velocity fluctuations based on anisotropic Reynolds stress tensors, with temporal correlation through the convection and decorrelation of turbulence. From these velocity fluctuations and the mean flow properties, the pressure fluctuations are calculated. The model was applied to several test cases and shows promising results in terms of reproducing qualitatively similar flow structures, as well as predicting the root-mean-squared pressure fluctuations. While further validation is being performed, the AniPFM has already demonstrated its potential for affordable simulations of turbulence-induced vibrations in industrial nuclear applications.