A multi-stage approach of simulating turbulence-induced vibrations in a wire-wrapped tube bundle for fretting wear prediction

MYRRHA (Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications) is a prototype of a Generation IV reactor that will be constructed in Mol, Belgium. It is a liquid metal fast reactor, using lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) as a coolant. Flow-induced vibrations resulting in fretting wear could be of concern due to the high density of LBE. Additionally, a wire is wrapped around each fuel rod to preserve their mutual distance in the hexagonal array, which affects the flow pattern.