A stochastic XFEM model for the tensile strength prediction of heterogeneous graphite based on microstructural observations

A stochastic XFEM model based on microstructural observations has been developed to evaluate the tensile strength of NBG-18 nuclear graphite. The nuclear graphite consists of pitch matrix, filler particles, pores and micro-cracks. The numerical simulations are performed at two length scales due to large difference in average size of filler particles and pores. Both deterministic and stochastic approaches have been implemented. The study intends...