FEMU based identification of the creep behavior of Zircaloy-4 claddings under simulated RIA thermo-mechanical conditions

This study aims to identify the creep behavior of Zircaloy-4 fuel claddings under simulated reactivity initiated accident (RIA) thermo-mechanical conditions. In a previous work ballooning tests performed in RIA conditions were described. A challenge overcome when analyzing these experiments is that imply structural effects during deformation specimen have be taken into account material. this paper FEMU (finite element model updating) based identification proposed law cladding, weakly coupled phase transformation material at high temperatures. Since loading are solely known part optical field cameras used for stereocorrelation, only region modeled using Love-Kirchhoff assumption impose boundary through sample thickness. Norton law, whose parameters expressed as function β fraction material, identified and reproduces first 10 s with mean errors on radial displacement rates about 10%. Finally, an extension higher time scale Norton’s non linearity response by taking grain growth contribution.