Effect of overpressurization on rim porosity in the high burnup $UO_2$ fuel

By introducing the concept of overpressurization of rim pores due to dislocation punching, the total pressure exerted on the rim pores is estimated. Then this concept is combined with the assumption that all the fission gases produced in the rim region are retained in the rim region to calculate the rim porosity. Rim porosities calculated in this way are compared with measured data, which produces reasonable agreement. Finally a correlation for the thermal conductivity of the rim region is obtained using the hypothesis that the rim region consists of pores and fully dense material of UO$_2$.