UPuZrCreepUpdate

Computes the secondary thermal and irradiation creep for UPuZr fast metal fuel. This material must be run in conjunction with ComputeMultipleInelasticStress.

Description

UPuZrCreepUpdate is used to model the thermal and irradiation creep behavior of U-Pu-Zr fast reactor fuel as a function of temperature, porosity, and fission rate density. In general, the availability of experimental data relating to creep of U-Zr and U-Pu-Zr fuels is limited. The relationships developed in Hofman et al. (2019) are utilized here, but likely contain large errors.

U-Zr and U-Pu-Zr fuel is assumed to be dominated by -U creep at low temperatures, thus the creep relationship utilized here is bolstered by pure uranium creep data. Above the phase transition temperature where -U is not present, the creep behavior is assumed to be dominated by -U-Zr creep. As a result, the thermal creep rate transitions between two regimes, necessitating smoothing behavior as -U transitions out.

At temperatures below the -U phase transition temperature K, the creep behavior assumes a two term creep rate, for diffusional and dislocation creep, (1) where is fractional porosity, (cal/mol/K) is the ideal gas constant, is temperature in (K), and is the von Mises stress in (MPa).

Above temperatures where -U is not present or K, the creep rate is assumed to be dominated by dislocation creep only, (2)

For irradiation creep, the creep rate measured for -U is assumed across all temperatures, and is given as a function of fission rate density (fsn/cm/s) as, (3)

In order to smoothly capture the transition from low temperature -U to high temperature -U-Zr creep, the MathUtils::smootherStep function is utilized from the MathUtils.h to transition from Eq. (1) to Eq. (2) between : (4)

Utilizing Eq. (4), the full creep rate formulation can be given as,

In general, the transition from -U to -U-Zr creep should occur over a small temperature range. However, the presence of the phase in U-Zr and phase region in U-Pu-Zr results in a 50-100 K temperature band where no creep data exists. Furthermore, the larger the transition temperature between and creep regimes, the smoother the transition and the better the convergence of the solid mechanics solve. As such, the default recommended values of and are likely adequate to capture the behavior of U-Pu-Zr creep in the absence of better experimental data.

Example Input Syntax

[Materials<<<{"href": "../../../syntax/Materials/index.html"}>>>]
  [creep]
    type = UPuZrCreepUpdate<<<{"description": "Computes the secondary thermal and irradiation creep for UPuZr fast metal fuel. This material must be run in conjunction with ComputeMultipleInelasticStress.", "href": "UPuZrCreepUpdate.html"}>>>
    temperature<<<{"description": "Coupled temperature"}>>> = temp
    porosity<<<{"description": "Porosity material property name"}>>> = 0
    fission_rate<<<{"description": "Fission rate material property name"}>>> = 1.042e20
  []
[]
(test/tests/solid_mechanics/upuzr_creep/nonad.i)

Note, the values for alpha_transition_start and alpha_transition_end correspond to and , and display testing values in this example. The default values are recommended and can be set by omitting alpha_transition_start and alpha_transition_end altogether.

UPuZrCreepUpdate must be run in conjunction with the inelastic strain return mapping stress calculator as shown below:

[Materials<<<{"href": "../../../syntax/Materials/index.html"}>>>]
  [radial_return_stress]
    type = ComputeMultipleInelasticStress<<<{"description": "Compute state (stress and internal parameters such as plastic strains and internal parameters) using an iterative process.  Combinations of creep models and plastic models may be used.", "href": "../ComputeMultipleInelasticStress.html"}>>>
    inelastic_models<<<{"description": "The material objects to use to calculate stress and inelastic strains. Note: specify creep models first and plasticity models second."}>>> = 'creep'
  []
[]
(test/tests/solid_mechanics/upuzr_creep/exact.i)

Input Parameters

  • temperatureCoupled temperature

    C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Coupled temperature

Required Parameters

  • absolute_tolerance1e-11Absolute convergence tolerance for Newton iteration

    Default:1e-11

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Absolute convergence tolerance for Newton iteration

  • acceptable_multiplier10Factor applied to relative and absolute tolerance for acceptable convergence if iterations are no longer making progress

    Default:10

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Factor applied to relative and absolute tolerance for acceptable convergence if iterations are no longer making progress

  • adaptive_substeppingFalseUse adaptive substepping, where the number of substeps is successively doubled until the return mapping model successfully converges or the maximum number of substeps is reached.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Use adaptive substepping, where the number of substeps is successively doubled until the return mapping model successfully converges or the maximum number of substeps is reached.

  • alpha_diffusional_activation_scalar1Scalar applied to the activation energy for alpha phase diffusional creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the activation energy for alpha phase diffusional creep

  • alpha_diffusional_scalar1Scalar applied to the creep rate for gamma phase creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the creep rate for gamma phase creep

  • alpha_dislocation_activation_scalar1Scalar applied to the activation energy for alpha phase dislocation creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the activation energy for alpha phase dislocation creep

  • alpha_dislocation_scalar1Scalar applied to the creep rate for alpha phase dislocation creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the creep rate for alpha phase dislocation creep

  • alpha_transition_end973Temperature at which the alpha phase finishes transitioning out. The further away from alpha_transition_start this parameter is, the better smoother the transition between creep regimes

    Default:973

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Temperature at which the alpha phase finishes transitioning out. The further away from alpha_transition_start this parameter is, the better smoother the transition between creep regimes

  • alpha_transition_start923Temperature at which the alpha phase starts to transition out.

    Default:923

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Temperature at which the alpha phase starts to transition out.

  • automatic_differentiation_return_mappingFalseWhether to use automatic differentiation to compute the derivative.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Whether to use automatic differentiation to compute the derivative.

  • base_nameOptional parameter that defines a prefix for all material properties related to this stress update model. This allows for multiple models of the same type to be used without naming conflicts.

    C++ Type:std::string

    Controllable:No

    Description:Optional parameter that defines a prefix for all material properties related to this stress update model. This allows for multiple models of the same type to be used without naming conflicts.

  • blockThe list of blocks (ids or names) that this object will be applied

    C++ Type:std::vector<SubdomainName>

    Controllable:No

    Description:The list of blocks (ids or names) that this object will be applied

  • boundaryThe list of boundaries (ids or names) from the mesh where this object applies

    C++ Type:std::vector<BoundaryName>

    Controllable:No

    Description:The list of boundaries (ids or names) from the mesh where this object applies

  • constant_onNONEWhen ELEMENT, MOOSE will only call computeQpProperties() for the 0th quadrature point, and then copy that value to the other qps.When SUBDOMAIN, MOOSE will only call computeQpProperties() for the 0th quadrature point, and then copy that value to the other qps. Evaluations on element qps will be skipped

    Default:NONE

    C++ Type:MooseEnum

    Options:NONE, ELEMENT, SUBDOMAIN

    Controllable:No

    Description:When ELEMENT, MOOSE will only call computeQpProperties() for the 0th quadrature point, and then copy that value to the other qps.When SUBDOMAIN, MOOSE will only call computeQpProperties() for the 0th quadrature point, and then copy that value to the other qps. Evaluations on element qps will be skipped

  • declare_suffixAn optional suffix parameter that can be appended to any declared properties. The suffix will be prepended with a '_' character.

    C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:An optional suffix parameter that can be appended to any declared properties. The suffix will be prepended with a '_' character.

  • fission_ratefission_rateFission rate material property name

    Default:fission_rate

    C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Fission rate material property name

  • gamma_activation_scalar1Scalar applied to the activation energy for gamma phase creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the activation energy for gamma phase creep

  • gamma_scalar1Scalar applied to the creep rate for alpha phase diffusional creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the creep rate for alpha phase diffusional creep

  • irradiation_scalar1Scalar applied to the creep rate for irradiation creep

    Default:1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Scalar applied to the creep rate for irradiation creep

  • max_inelastic_increment0.0001The maximum inelastic strain increment allowed in a time step

    Default:0.0001

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:The maximum inelastic strain increment allowed in a time step

  • maximum_number_substeps25The maximum number of substeps allowed before cutting the time step.

    Default:25

    C++ Type:unsigned int

    Controllable:No

    Description:The maximum number of substeps allowed before cutting the time step.

  • porosityporosityPorosity material property name

    Default:porosity

    C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Porosity material property name

  • relative_tolerance1e-08Relative convergence tolerance for Newton iteration

    Default:1e-08

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Relative convergence tolerance for Newton iteration

  • use_old_porosityFalseFlag to use old porosity. Note, this must be true if using 'PorosityFromStrain' to avoid material dependency issues.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Flag to use old porosity. Note, this must be true if using 'PorosityFromStrain' to avoid material dependency issues.

  • use_substep_integration_errorFalseIf true, it establishes a substep size that will yield, at most,the creep numerical integration error given by substep_strain_tolerance.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:If true, it establishes a substep size that will yield, at most,the creep numerical integration error given by substep_strain_tolerance.

  • use_substeppingNONEWhether and how to use substepping

    Default:NONE

    C++ Type:MooseEnum

    Options:NONE, ERROR_BASED, INCREMENT_BASED

    Controllable:No

    Description:Whether and how to use substepping

  • verboseFalseFlag to output verbose information

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Flag to output verbose information

Optional Parameters

  • apply_strainTrueFlag to apply strain. Used for testing.

    Default:True

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Flag to apply strain. Used for testing.

  • control_tagsAdds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.

    C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>

    Controllable:No

    Description:Adds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.

  • effective_inelastic_strain_nameeffective_creep_strainName of the material property that stores the effective inelastic strain

    Default:effective_creep_strain

    C++ Type:std::string

    Controllable:No

    Description:Name of the material property that stores the effective inelastic strain

  • enableTrueSet the enabled status of the MooseObject.

    Default:True

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:Yes

    Description:Set the enabled status of the MooseObject.

  • implicitTrueDetermines whether this object is calculated using an implicit or explicit form

    Default:True

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Determines whether this object is calculated using an implicit or explicit form

  • seed0The seed for the master random number generator

    Default:0

    C++ Type:unsigned int

    Controllable:No

    Description:The seed for the master random number generator

  • substep_strain_tolerance0.1Maximum ratio of the initial elastic strain increment at start of the return mapping solve to the maximum inelastic strain allowable in a single substep. Reduce this value to increase the number of substeps

    Default:0.1

    C++ Type:double

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:Maximum ratio of the initial elastic strain increment at start of the return mapping solve to the maximum inelastic strain allowable in a single substep. Reduce this value to increase the number of substeps

  • use_displaced_meshFalseWhether or not this object should use the displaced mesh for computation. Note that in the case this is true but no displacements are provided in the Mesh block the undisplaced mesh will still be used.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Whether or not this object should use the displaced mesh for computation. Note that in the case this is true but no displacements are provided in the Mesh block the undisplaced mesh will still be used.

Advanced Parameters

  • internal_solve_full_iteration_historyFalseSet true to output full internal Newton iteration history at times determined by `internal_solve_output_on`. If false, only a summary is output.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:Set true to output full internal Newton iteration history at times determined by `internal_solve_output_on`. If false, only a summary is output.

  • internal_solve_output_onon_errorWhen to output internal Newton solve information

    Default:on_error

    C++ Type:MooseEnum

    Options:never, on_error, always

    Controllable:No

    Description:When to output internal Newton solve information

Debug Parameters

  • output_propertiesList of material properties, from this material, to output (outputs must also be defined to an output type)

    C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>

    Controllable:No

    Description:List of material properties, from this material, to output (outputs must also be defined to an output type)

  • outputsnone Vector of output names where you would like to restrict the output of variables(s) associated with this object

    Default:none

    C++ Type:std::vector<OutputName>

    Controllable:No

    Description:Vector of output names where you would like to restrict the output of variables(s) associated with this object

Outputs Parameters

  • prop_getter_suffixAn optional suffix parameter that can be appended to any attempt to retrieve/get material properties. The suffix will be prepended with a '_' character.

    C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName

    Unit:(no unit assumed)

    Controllable:No

    Description:An optional suffix parameter that can be appended to any attempt to retrieve/get material properties. The suffix will be prepended with a '_' character.

  • use_interpolated_stateFalseFor the old and older state use projected material properties interpolated at the quadrature points. To set up projection use the ProjectedStatefulMaterialStorageAction.

    Default:False

    C++ Type:bool

    Controllable:No

    Description:For the old and older state use projected material properties interpolated at the quadrature points. To set up projection use the ProjectedStatefulMaterialStorageAction.

Material Property Retrieval Parameters

Input Files

References

  1. G. L. Hofman, M. C. Billone, J. F. Koenig, J. M. Kramer, J. D. B. Lambert, L. Leibowitz, Y. Orechwa, D. R. Pedersen, D. L. Porter, H. Tsai, and A. E. Wright. Metallic fuels handbook. Technical Report ANL-NSE-3, Argonne National Laboratory, 2019.[BibTeX]