A generalized failure map for fuel elements subject to a power pulse

▶ Review of large international database of RIA tests on different reactor fuel types. ▶ Analysis of fuel failure modes using analytical methods based upon fundamental phenomenology. ▶ Derivation of a fuel failure map based upon width of power pulse and increase in fuel enthalpy. ▶ Demonstration that some failure modes are strongly governed by the characteristics of the test reactor power pulse and are conservative with respect to typical power reactors.