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22.314J / 1.56J / 2.084J Structural Mechanics in Nuclear Power Technology, Spring 2004

Diagram of an RBKM reactor design
The RBMK reactor design pictured above was used at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.  This severly flawed design has a "positive void coefficient", meaning the nuclear chain reaction and power output increases when cooling water is lost. (Image courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Energy's International Nuclear Safety Center.)

Highlights of this Course

This course includes problem sets and a selection of lecture notes with references.

Course Description

This course deals with structural components in nuclear power plant systems, their functional purposes, operating conditions, and mechanical-structural design requirements. It combines mechanics techniques with models of material behavior to determine adequacy of component design. Considerations include mechanical loading, brittle fracture, in-elastic behavior, elevated temperatures, neutron irradiation, and seismic effects.

This class was also offered in Course 13 (Department of Ocean Engineering) as 13.14J. In 2005, ocean engineering subjects became part of Course 2 (Department of Mechanical Engineering), and the 13.14J designation was dropped in lieu of 2.084J.

 

Staff

Instructors:
Prof. Mujid Kazimi
Prof. Oral Buyukozturk

Course Meeting Times

Lectures:
Two sessions / week
1.5 hours / session

Level

Graduate

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