Computation of a core disruptive accident in the MARS mock-up

A hypothetical core disruptive accident in a liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) results from the interaction between molten fuel and liquid sodium, which creates a high-pressure bubble of gas in the core. The violent expansion of this bubble loads and deforms the vessel and the internal structures. The MARS experimental test simulates a HCDA in a small-scale mock-up containing all the significant internal components of a fast breeder reactor. The mock-up is filled with water, topped by an argon blanket, and the explosion is generated by an explosive charge.This paper presents a numerical simulation of the test with the EUROPLEXUS code. The top closure is represented by massive structures and the main internal structures are described by shells. The current numerical results are described and compared with the experimental ones, and previous computations with the CASTEM-PLEXUS code.