Sandia News

Engineering


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Explosive and energetic operations were resumed at Sandia’s Rocket Sled Test Facility. The RSTF staff worked with teams from across Sandia to successfully conduct several series of energetic test operations at the rocket sled track and its explosive firing site. These test operations were conducted to investigate the performance of components from critical national security systems. High-speed radiography techniques have been used to capture new details associated with the complex interactions during an explosion. (1500, 4100) NW

To design and optimize the next generation of the world’s fastest computers, Sandia has developed and released the Structural Simulation Toolkit (SST). This computer simulator models the complex interactions between processors, network, and memory for future supercomputers, and will enable the efficient design of machines roughly 1,000 times more powerful than those today. A parallel simulator itself, the SST enables Sandia to use the supercomputers of today to design the supercomputers of tomorrow. (1400) NW, ECIS

An integrated team of analysts, verification and validation experts, and code developers performed a comprehensive Quantification of Margins and Uncertainties assessment of thermal safety for the B61 stockpile system. This study considered multiple failure modes, including the weak link-strong link safety theme and thermal-mechanical failure due to internal pressurization, with fully engulfing and directed heating scenarios. The multiple failure modes were integrated within a probabilistic framework to provide a system-level assessment of probability of loss of assured safety in abnormal thermal scenarios. (1500) NW

Cinematic imaging using high-repetition-rate lasers and high-frame-rate cameras provides new insights into complex interactions between turbulent flows and flames. Improved understanding of these interactions is required for developing advanced combustion technologies. Jonathan Frank (Combustion Research Facility), in collaboration with colleagues at Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR) in Stuttgart, Germany, used crossed-plane laser-induced fluorescence and particle imaging velocimetry to capture the dynamics of turbulent jet flames. Results will aid the development of models for predictive simulations of turbulent combustion. (8300) ECIS (6100) ECIS


Each citation is followed by the center numbers of centers that contributed most directly to the effort described. An acronym after each accomplishment indicates which of Sandia’s strategic management units (SMUs) or strategic management groups (SMGs) the work most directly supported.

The SMG/SMU acronyms are:

  • NW: Nuclear Weapons SMG & SMU
  • DS & A: Defense Systems & Assessments SMU
  • IHNS: International, Homeland, and Nuclear Security SMU
  • ECIS: Energy, Climate, and Infrastructure SMU
  • IES: Integrated Enabling Services SMU
  • SPP: Sandia Partnership Projects