Thermal stresses in reactor shells due to thermal neutron irradiation—I

Abstract

Assuming that the thermal neutron flux through a flat slab can be expressed as the sum of exponential terms, the heating effects due to capture γ-ray absorption are calculated. Curves are presented for total heat absorbed, peak temperature and peak thermal stress for a simple attenuation of neutrons through the slab. The results are applicable to the heating effects in pressure vessel shells.