This paper presents an interpretation of the physical mechanisms involved in the development of limit cycle oscillations in boiling water reactors (BWRs). Based on this interpretation, approximate correlations for some oscillation parameters are developed and shown to be largely independent of the particular reactor operating condition. The stability of the limit cycle is also studied in this paper. It is shown that the BWR limit cycle may become unstable and bifurcate. The bifurcation process leads to aperiodic (chaotic) behavior of the reactor power and causes the peak oscillation powers to be larger than those from a nonbifurcated limit cycle. 7 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab
