Verification and Validation of MECURY code

In order to describe the deformed shape of the actual cladding tube, multi-dimensional FE-based fuel performance codes have been developed in various organizations [1, 2]. KAERI is also developing a Multidimensional Entire Rod Code for simUlation of fuel behavioR developed bY KAERI (MERCURY) to simulate the deformation of the cladding tube in the event of a designed-based accident. In this paper, the MERCURY code based on finite element method (FEM) has been described and the verification of the code was carried out. The MERCURY incorporates transient thermal analysis model, nonlinear mechanical model, thermosmechanical model, multi-dimensional gap conductance model, burnup dependent material properties, cathcartpawel model for high temperature oxidation, and transient creep model for clad ballooning. The MERCURY can be used as stand-alone code or as a module of system code to couple fuel behavior with thermal-hydraulic code. In order to verify the developed FE-based fuel performance code, we used the results of PUZRY test [3] (from KFKI AEKI).