Publications Details
Two-dimensional quasistatic modeling of exclusion region barriers in support of design guide development
Modern nuclear safety themes depend on excluding unwanted energy from the components required for nuclear detonation. The exclusion region barrier is designed to provide protection from extraneous energy. The barrier must remain unbreached for both normal operations and accident events. Recent advances in computational capabilities permits more accurate modeling of barrier tearing during the extreme mechanical loadings associated with accidents. This report describes a methodology which employs design of experiments strategies coupled with finite element analyses and testing to produce results suitable for inclusion in a guide to design exclusion region barriers. The general approach was to employ finite element analyses to define the effect of materials property and geometric feature parameters on a generic barrier geometry. These parametric studies were based on design of experiments strategies. Four materials properties and six geometric features were included in the parameters. Selected geometries were tested to provide verification of the analyses. Statistical analysis of the results from the finite element analyses identified the important parameters (primarily the material property, true strain-to-failure, along with certain geometric characteristics) which were used to synthesize simplified equations and graphics suitable for inclusion into a guide for designers and safety analysts.