Abstract
This report builds on the previous work by assessing the impact of assembly structural features on cladding balloon and burst behavior. The BISON fuel performance code was used to generate two dimensional RZ meshes containing structural features commonly used in nuclear fuel assemblies. The results were then compared to the cladding burst temperature and balloon strain results from the previous work. A mesh sensitivity study was performed to ensure spacer grid effects were appropriately considered, resulting in a more refined mesh than the previous study. The balloon deformation and burst times of the cladding were compared. Consideration was also given to the effect of rod initial pressure. Overall, the BISON simulations indicated the spacer grids can locally influence cladding performance, however, the impact on the cladding performance was minor.
