Publications

This is a brief report about a Sandia National Laboratory facility which can provide high-thermal flux for simulation of nuclear thermal flash, measurements of the effects of aerodynamic heating on radar transmission, etc

This paper summarizes a cost-benefit assessment of the seismic design of the waste-handling facilities associated with the prospective high-level waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. It provides a very brief description of the methodology used and the costs and benefits of varying design levels for vibratory ground motions and surface fault displacements for structures, components, and equipment that are important to safety in the waste-handling facilities. 3 refs., 7 figs.

The problem of radiative heat transfer through a gray, emitting, absorbing, and scattering medium with uniform optical properties is reduced to one without scattering through two techniques. One uses scaling laws, and the other uses a self-consistent effective gas temperature. The scaling laws are derived via the P1 approximation to the radiative transfer equation and can be applied to multidimensional problems with nonisothermal media. The effective temperature method is presently restricted to isotropic scattering and isothermal media. Both methods are evaluated in the current study as a function of scattering albedo, wall emissivity, and optical thickness for two different geometries, and two sets of wall and gas temperatures. The effects of scattering anisotropy are also assessed for the P1 method.

Unsteady Surface Element (USE) methods are applied to a model of a thermocouple wire attached to a thin disk. Green's functions are used to develop the integral equations for the wire and the disk. The model can be used to evaluate transient and steady state responses for many types of heat flux measurement devices including thin skin calorimeters and circular foil (Gardon) heat flux gages. The model can accommodate either surface or volumetric heating of the disk. The boundary condition at the outer radius of the disk can be either insulated or constant temperature. Effect on the errors of geometrical and thermal factors can be assessed. Examples are given.

The problem of determining the mechanical states inside wound capacitor rolls is addressed through the application of two dimensional, linear elasticity. Allowances are made for heterogeneous wound construction of the capacitor, orthotropic material behavior of the capacitor constituents, and arbitrary winding tension. A key element in the formulation is the derivation of material properties for a wound, orthotropic layer which is equivalent in behavior to a stack of dissimilar plies such as are actually wound on the capacitor simultaneously during one turn of the mandrel. The dissimilar plies are necessary by virtue of the conductor and dielectric materials which must be present in a capacitor. The derivation of predictive equations is based on winding the equivalent layer on an appropriate mandrel, followed by a recovery of the individual ply responses.

The determination of the fully plastic response and pressure limit of high pressure containment structures is of considerable importance in design. The plastic-strain response during and following autofrettage operations, in comparison with the limiting strain condition, is of special interest. This paper presents the results of an analysis method for thick wall, high pressure, cylinders where the effective plastic strain distribution through the thickness is the material response variable of primary interest. The limiting value of this effective plastic strain depends on the level of tensile-stress triaxiality which also varies through the thickness. This strain-to-failure criterion is used to predict the complete pressure versus strain response and the maximum pressure for test cylinders. A simple method of effective-stress versus effective plastic strain is employed. This model is quantified by data taken from uniaxial, tension, true-stress-strain curves and from the fracture zone of the tensile specimen. A sample calculation is included.

The linear induction accelerator RADLAC II (Radial Line Accelerator II) is being upgraded to produce a 20-MeV, 40-kA, annular electron beam. Prior to the upgrade, RADLAC II produced a 15-MeV, 15-kA electron beam. Modifications to the pulsed power, injector, and magnetic transport have resulted in a faster-rising flat-topped voltage pulse. A high-quality, 40-kA, 2.0-cm-diameter beam with a low perpendicular thermal velocity has been produced from the injector. The high-quality beam has been accelerated through two accelerating gaps. The final four accelerating stages are being added to RADLAC II, and transport experiments through the full accelerator are beginning. Simulations show that the beam quality will be maintained through the entire accelerator.

Experimental and theoretical work have demonstrated that a proper injector design results in the generation of very-high-brightness beams in a field-immersed foilless diode source which is suitable for use on RADLAC II (a high-current linear induction accelerator for electrons). Time-resolved characterization of the high-brightness immersed diode source was achieved using a time-gated, 2-D X-ray imaging technique. The experiments were performed on the 4-MeV IBEX accelerator and produced currents exceeding 40 kA in a 6-mm-radius, thin annular beam with a measured thermal transverse velocity of 0.1c. For currents of 30 kA, even brighter beams with β2+ = 0.07 were obtained. At lower currents, beams as small as 2 mm in radius were produced with a smaller cathode tip. In all cases, the measured parameters were consistent with 2-D, PIC (particle-in-cell) simulations.

A test method involving simultaneous imposition of temperature cycles and strain on discrete solder joints in a shear orientation is presented. The stress, microstructure, and number of cycles to failure were monitored. Cycles to failure were determined by a continuous electrical detection method. Sodler joints with composition 60Sn-40Pb and 40Sn-40In-20Pb were tested using the method at 20% shear strain. The 60Sn-40Pb alloy had a shorter fatigue lifetime than did 40Sn-40In-20Pb. This is attributed to heterogenous coarsening that concentrates strain in a small area of the 60Sn-40Pb microstructure. In contrast the 40Sn-40In-20Pb microstructure becomes refined. The heterogeneous coarsening also results in cyclic softening in 60Sn-40Pb, which was not observed in 40Sn-40In-20Pb. Failures initiated within the coarsened band in 60Sn-40Pb at Sn-Sn grain boundaries or phase boundaries. In contrast, failures initiated at the surface of 40Sn-40In-20Pb joints and propagated through both phases of the microstructure.

Three different ion beam transport schemes (achromatic lens, wire-guided transport, and Z-discharge channel) for the light ion beam driver for the Laboratory Microfusion Facility (LMF) are examined analytically. For each case the phase space acceptance area is investigated, including the effects of angular momentum. It is shown that, in real diode/transport configurations, there will be some angular momentum (i.e., φ0 ≠ 0) created, e.g., by combinations of diode microdivergence, beam steering errors, foil scattering, and gas scattering. Both the ballistic/lens case and the channel case can accept φ0 = 0 beams if they can be made, and can also tolerate certain amounts of φ0 ≠ 0. On the other hand, the wire case requires φ0 ≠ 0 in a carefully prepared manner. It is concluded that, in regard to angular momentum, the baseline ballistic case is the most accepting transport scheme. The channel transport scheme is less accepting. The wire transport scheme is the least accepting because it requires a tailored nonzero φ0 distribution to be fully accepted.

The nominal 1000-MJ yield of a Laboratory Microfusion Facility (LMF) pellet requires at least a 1.5-m-radius target chamber to contain the blast. A geometry has been identified that uses an annular ion beam with a center plug, has a total transport length of 4 m, and allows no direct line of sight from the target blast to the ion diode. An analytic model for an achromatic, two-lens system that is capable of transporting a 30-MV, 1-MA Li ion beam over this distance has been developed. The system uses both self-Bθ and solenoidal magnetic lenses. The beam microdivergence requirement is minimized by locating the final solenoidal lens at the target chamber wall. In the present work, the analytic model was verified by PIC (particle-in-cell) transport calculations. A realistic coil system has been designed to supply the required 2-T solenoidal fields. Simulations show that a lithium beam can be transported over the 4-m distance with better than 70% energy and power efficiency, delivering roughly 1 MJ/beam to the target if a 6-mrad microdivergence is achieved at the diode.

The FALCON (Fission Activated Laser CONcept) reactor-pumped laser program at Sandia National Laboratories is examining the feasibility of high-power systems pumped directly by the energy from a nuclear reactor. In this concept we use the highly energetic fission fragments from neutron induced fission to excite a large volume laser medium. This technology has the potential to scale to extremely large optical power outputs in a primarily self-powered device. A laser system of this type could also be relatively compact and capable of long run times without refueling.

The semiconductor product engineers job requires knowledge and expertise related to many different subjects. This report provides guidance for newcomers to product engineering and is a consise reference for all others involved in product engineering. Subjects addressed are Customer/Supplier interactions, component development sequence, production schedule support, component characterization, product specifications, test equipment requirements, product qualification, characterization and development reports, preferred parts list, standard packaging, and finally, classification and security considerations. This guide is intended to help standardize and simplify the component development sequence presently used in the semiconductor product engineering department. 3 figs., 2 tabs.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), located in southeastern New Mexico, is a research and development facility to demonstrate safe disposal of defense-generated transuranic waste. Performance assessment comprises scenario development and screening and probability assignment; consequence analysis; sensitivity and uncertainty analysis; and comparison with a standard. This report examines events and processes that might give rise to scenarios for the long-term release of waste from the WIPP and begins to screen and assign probabilities to them. The events and processes retained here will be used to develop scenarios during the WIPP performance assessment; the consequences of scenarios that survive screening will be calculated and compared with the standard. 84 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

Coherent phase transformation occurs under conditions of stress wave loading and there are indications that transformation is dependent on the nonhydrostatic state of stress in the body. Studies under static loading show transformation proceeds at lower confining pressure when combined with shearing stress and similar effects appear to occur under stress-wave loading. Nonlinearities in the stress-strain behavior due to the transformation strain lead to complicated wave propagation, including wave separation and rarefaction shock waves. In the present study a thermodynamic theory of the combined elastic and phase transformtion deformation is developed which incorporates the interrelation of pressure and shear effects. The theory is focused on wave propagation in solids and is compared with earlier experimental work on Oakhall limestone. A thermodynamic Gibbs potential is derived for the material and a phase equilibrium relation identified, which constrains the volume and shape change through the transformation. The theory is extended to account for the effect of microstructural heterogeneities on the transformation process which has been observed experimentally.

This report describes a demonstration of the performance assessment methodology for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to be used in assessing compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency. This demonstration incorporates development and screening of potentially disruptive scenarios. A preliminary analysis of the WIPP disposal system's response to human intrusion scenarios produces preliminary complementary cumulative distribution functions (CCDFs) used to assess the compliance of the WIPP with the Containment Requirements of the Standard. The conceptual model of the disposal system consists of geologic, hydrologic, and disposal system subsystems along with the physical and chemical processes associated with these subsystems. Parameter values defining the systems contain uncertainties and modeling approximations of such a disposal system contributes to those uncertainties. The WIPP compliance assessment methodology consists of a system of techniques and computer codes that estimate releases of radionuclides from the disposal system, incorporating analysis of the parameter uncertainties in the estimates. Demonstration CCDFs are presented, but are not yet credible enough to judge the probability of compliance of the WIPP with the EPA Standard. 60 refs., 75 figs., 30 tabs.

The structural response of plasma armature railguns to the electromagnetic load imposed during operation has a significant effect on performance. The railgun support structure must minimize bore deformation; thus stiffness and strength are important design parameters. The step by step evolution of the design toward a structure which will tolerate operation with 500 to 700 kA rail currents is presented. The design effort started with the traditional rail/insulator core structure contained within a V-block which provides a preload. Non-linear dynamic analyses together with model tests were used to assess the effects of changes in geometry, materials, and preload on the railgun structural performance. 39 figs., 5 tabs.

The ignition of reactive powders by a semiconductor bridge (SCB) is analyzed by applying a multiphase flow model based upon the theory of mixtures. The hot plasma produced by the SCB permeates the cold granular explosive, deposits its latent heat upon fusing to the grains, therby heating the explosive granular surfaces to energy states required for self-sustained reaction. This mechanism is predicted to heat the granular explosive in a region local to the SCB to temperatures well above those required for thermal ignition. The analysis demonstates that this mechanism explains the prompt ignition of explosives using SCB's as opposed to the conductively controlled heating of conventional bridgewires. 16 refs., 14 figs., 1 tab.

AEROPLT is an interactive, user-friendly, general purpose plot code for plotting tabular data from multiple files. This DISSPLA-based code is convenient and easy to use while permitting great flexibility for users who want to customize their plots. A series of questions leads the user through the program and permits a return to specific portions of the code for plot refinement. Multidevice capability permits the user to plot on the terminal, write to a file for hardcopy plots, or do both simultaneously. An easily modified Setup File is used to store the terminal and hardcopy type codes, plot and text dimensions, and default plot specifications. Parameters for individual plots are written to a Restart File which can easily be edited to change subsequent plots. Additional capabilities are: color plots; a convenient method (similar to TEX) to implement all DISSPLA fonts, character sets, and math alphabets; superscripts, subscripts, underline, and italicize; and plots of the results of mathematical functions of the input data. 12 figs., 21 tabs.

Potentially hazardous test activities have historically been a part of Sandia National Labs mission to design, develop, and test new weapons systems. These test activities include high speed air drops for parachute development, sled tests for component and system level studies, multiple stage rocket experiments, and artillery firings of various projectiles. Due to the nature of Sandia's test programs, the risk associated with these activities can never be totally eliminated. However, a consistent set of policies should be available to provide guidance into the level of risk that is acceptable in these areas. This report presents a general set of guidelines for addressing safety issues related to rocket flight operations at Sandia National Laboratories. Even though the majority of this report deals primarily with rocket flight safety, these same principles could be applied to other hazardous test activities. The basic concepts of risk analysis have a wide range of applications into many of Sandia's current operations. 14 refs., 1 tab.

In this report, we examine two global energy consumption scenarios and corresponding nonenergy scenarios to determine how each will contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. A steady emissions trend scenario assumes only modest energy conservation and little change in the world's energy consumption patterns and nonenergy emissions. A reduced emissions trend scenario assumes significant conservation, switching from a more carbon-intensive energy source mix to a less intensive mix, and reducing nonenergy emissions. Based on the difference between the two scenarios' results, our conclusions are that it is possible to reduce global warming by over 50% using a combination of conservation and efficiency improvements, increased use of nuclear, geothermal, and solar/renewable energy sources, and reduced nonenergy emissions. 34 refs.

This report summarizes the results and conclusions generated by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission sponsored Fire Protection Research Program at Sandia National Laboratories. Efforts conducted from the programs inception in 1975 through 1987 are discussed. The individual efforts are discussed within a framework based on specific areas of investigation. Early efforts are presented in the context of investigations of specific regulatory concerns. Later efforts are presented within the context of an integrated investigation of fire safety issues. This integrated approach considers the fire safety issue in terms of (1) source fire characterization, (2) detection and suppression system effectiveness, (3) room effects, (4) equipment response, and (5) room-to-room fire effects. The report provides a complete bibliography of reports and journal articles generated as a result of these efforts with a cross-reference listing of major reports to specific efforts. 98 refs., 23 figs., 20 tabs.

Gas holdup data for oleci acid at 291 K and for 1018 steel at 1823 K has been taken for nitrogen sparging gas. The liquid levels have been measured using a real time x-ray technique. The data have been compared to correlations from the literature to assess the appropriate correlations for use in calculating gas holdup for molten core debris in reactor accident calculations. A suitable correlation has been determined as well as coefficients for use in a drift flux model. The correlation is in the form {alpha} = 0.128 M{sup -0.0207} jg*{sup 0.584} where {alpha} is holdup, M is the Morton Number and jg* is the dimensionless gas flux through the liquid. 19 refs., 9 figs., 9 tabs.

A method to determine the dynamic shape factor of an aerosol from cascade impactor and TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) distribution measurements is presented and demonstrated. The response of the APS to nonspherical, porous particles is derived after the fashion of Wang and John (1987). This method does not require microscopy or chemical analytical techniques and as such is an improvement over previous methods. 37 refs., 13 figs., 1 tab.

SAVI (Systematic Analysis of Vulnerability to Intrusion) is a PC-based software package for modeling and analyzing physical protection systems. SAVI implements several features that make it a unique product. First, the user interface for site modeling and data entry is simple and flexible. Second, the SAVI model analyzes all adversary paths to the target location and, if selected, all exit paths from the target location. Third, a reference catalog and database are included that define the protection elements and safeguards components, and give detection and delay performance values for the components. Finally, SAVI's results are output in graphic form and include recommendations for upgrade.

This paper discusses the following topics: theoretical predictions of valence and conduction band offsets in III-V semiconductors; reflectance modulation of a semiconductor superlattice optical mirror; magnetoquantum oscillations of the phonon-drag thermoelectric power in quantum wells; correlation between photoluminescence line shape and device performance of p-channel strained-layer materials; control of threading dislocations in heteroepitaxial structures; improved growth of CdTe on GaAs by patterning; role of structure threading dislocations in relaxation of highly strained single-quantum-well structures; InAlAs growth optimization using reflection mass spectrometry; nonvolatile charge storage in III-V heterostructures; optically triggered thyristor switches; InAsSb strained-layer superlattice infrared detectors with high detectivities; resonant periodic gain surface-emitting semiconductor lasers; performance advantages of strained-quantum-well lasers in AlGaAs/InGaAs; optical integrated circuit for phased-array radar antenna control; and deposition and novel device fabrication from Tl{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} thin films.

This report contains important information on the internationally mandated changes in the unit of the Volt and Ohm which will come into force on January 1, 1990; on how the Primary Standards Laboratory will respond to these changes, and recommendations on how the Contractor Standards Laboratories should respond to these changes. It also contains information about the new Josephson Voltage Standard that is now in operation at the Primary Standards Laboratory, and how the use of this standard will change the way that the Volt is disseminated to the Contractor Standards Laboratories. 1 fig.

EPSILON-2 is a general parallel computer architecture that combines the fine grain parallelism of dataflow computing with the sequential efficiency common to von Neumann computing. Instruction level synchronization, single cycle context switches, and RISC-like sequential efficiency are all supported in EPSILON-2. The general parallel computing model of EPSILON-2 is described, followed by a description of the processing element architecture. A sample code is presented in detail, and the progress of the physical implementation discussed. 11 refs., 14 figs.

In the radiation-hardened, optically triggered thyristor development being carried out jointly by Organizations 1141 and 2531, a theoretical model was needed to assist in designing the devices. This model had to accurately predict thyristor performance (e.g., breakover voltage and holding current) for different fabrication and experimental parameters such as doping, layer thickness, temperature, and incident optical intensity. This report describes a mode we are currently developing that is based on treating a p-n-p-n thyristor as coupled p-n-p and n-p-n transistors. This approach has the advantages of providing tractability of the physics that govern thyristor behavior without requiring extensive numerical computations. When benchmarked by a more rigorous (and, consequently, computationally more complicated) treatment, our model should provide accurate and fast screening of a wide range of thyristor configurations. Section 2 describes the general thyristor configuration we wish to investigate. The derivation of the basic equations for our thyristor model is presented in Sections 3. These equations depends on the saturation currents and multiplication factors at each p-n junction, and on the current gains of p-n-p and n-p-n transistors.

The High Temperature Borehole Televiewer is a downhole instrument which provides acoustic pictures of the borehole walls that are suitable for casing inspection and fracture detection in geothermal wells. The Geothermal Drilling Organization has funded the development of a commercial tool survivable to temperatures of 275{degree}C and pressures of 5000 psi. A real-time display on an IBM-compatible PC was included as part of the development effort. This report contains a User Manual which describes the operation of this software. The software is designed in a menu format allowing the user to change many of the parameters which control both the acquisition and the display of the Televiewer data. An internal data acquisition card digitizes the waveform from the tool at a rate of 100,000 samples per second. The data from the tool, both the range or arrival time and the amplitude of the return signal, are displayed in color on the CRT screen of the computer during the logging operation. This data may be stored on the hard disk for later display and analysis. The software incorporates many features which aid in the setup of the tool for proper operation. These features include displaying and storing the captured waveform data to check the voltage and time windows selected by the user. 17 refs., 28 figs., 15 tabs.

Multi-dimensional radiative transfer in combined mode heat transfer problems was investigated with emphasis on the analysis and characterization of a free-falling particle cloud, direct absorption solar central receiver. A model was developed to calculate the relevant distributions in the curtain while a concentrated solar beam is impinging on the front face of the medium. The discrete ordinated approximation was applied to allow the spectral equation of transfer (EOT) to be modeled as a PDE. Model verification tests were conducted to determine the accuracy of the model. One- and two-dimensional results showed that the discrete ordinates model provides satisfactory estimates of the radiant intensity, the heat flux and the temperature distributions for ordinate sets above S{sub 4} (12-flux approximation) for both the black and gray cases. 75 refs., 69 figs., 13 tabs.

This report describes the results of tests conducted on three different designs of full-size electrical penetration assemblies (EPAs) that are used in the containment buildings of nuclear power plants. The objective of the tests was to evaluate the behavior of the EPAs under simulated severe accident conditions using steam at elevated temperature and pressure. Leakage, temperature, and cable insulation resistance were monitored throughout the tests. Nuclear-qualified EPAs were produced from D. G. O'Brien, Westinghouse, and Conax. Severe-accident-sequence analysis was used to generate the severe accident conditions (SAC) for a large dry pressurized-water reactor (PWR), a boiling-water reactor (BWR) Mark I drywell, and a BWR Mark III wetwell. Based on a survey conducted by Sandia, each EPA was matched with the severe accident conditions for a specific reactor type. This included the type of containment that a particular EPA design was used in most frequently. Thus, the D. G. O'Brien EPA was chosen for the PWR SAC test, the Westinghouse was chosen for the Mark III test, and the Conax was chosen for the Mark I test. The EPAs were radiation and thermal aged to simulate the effects of a 40-year service life and loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) before the SAC tests were conducted. The design, test preparations, conduct of the severe accident test, experimental results, posttest observations, and conclusions about the integrity and electrical performance of each EPA tested in this program are described in this report. In general, the leak integrity of the EPAs tested in this program was not compromised by severe accident loads. However, there was significant degradation in the insulation resistance of the cables, which could affect the electrical performance of equipment and devices inside containment at some point during the progression of a severe accident. 10 refs., 165 figs., 16 tabs.

The Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL) operates a system-wide primary standards and calibration metrology program for the US Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office (DOE/AL). The PSL mission is to develop and maintain primary standards; to calibrate electrical, physical, and radiation reference standards for member laboratories (DOE/AL integrated contractors); to conduct technical surveys and audits of these laboratories; and to recommend and implement system-wide improvements. This report summarizes activities of the PSL for the first half of 1989 and provides information pertinent to the operation of the DOE/AL Standards and Calibration Program. Specific areas covered include development projects, calibration and special measurements, surveys and audits, and significant events. Appendixes cover certifications and reports, commercial calibration laboratories, PSL memoranda, National Bureau of Standards (NBS)/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) test numbers, and a DOE standards and calibration memorandum.

The connector selection program is a database application that allows engineers to locate information about connectors that meet their requirements. This document describes the design and implementation of the database, the data input application, and the user interface. Nijssen's Information Analysis Methodology (NIAM) was used to characterize the connector data requirements which yielded the database design. This design was transformed into database record structures that were implemented in the relational database management software ORACLE. After the database was in place, data input screens were created to capture the connector data, analyze it, and place it in the proper database record structures. Finally, a user interface was designed and developed that displays or prints the information contained in the database, associated drawings, and documentation related to the program and its data.

Proto II is a nominal 8 terawatt pulsed accelerator which is available for x-ray effects testing. The purpose of this guide is to serve as a basic source of information for prospective users of Proto II. Enclosed is a discussion of the design and operation of the accelerator and a summary of x-ray environmental data. The guide also contains a description of experimental support facilities, data acquisition and analysis systems and general information for users. 4 refs., 22 figs., 5 tabs.

Sandia National Laboratories, under the sponsorship of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is currently developing test validated methods to predict the pressure capacity of light water reactor containment buildings when subjected to postulated severe accident conditions. These conditions are well beyond the design basis. Scale model tests of steel and reinforced concrete containments have been conducted as well as tests of typical containment penetrations. As a part of this effort, a series of tests was recently conducted to determine the leakage behavior of inflatable seals. These seals are used to prevent leakage around personnel and escape lock doors of some containments. The results of the inflatable seals tests are the subject of this report. Inflatable seals were tested at both room temperature and at elevated temperatures representative of postulated severe accident conditions. Both aged (radiation and thermal) and unaged seals were included in the test program. The internal seal pressure at the beginning of each test was varied to cover the range of seal pressures actually used in containments. For each seal pressure level, the external (containment) pressure was increased until significant leakage past the seals was observed. Parameters that were monitored and recorded during the tests were the internal seal pressure, chamber pressure, leakage past the seals, and temperature of the test chamber and fixture to which the seals were attached. 8 refs., 34 figs., 7 tabs.

An exact solution is derived for one-dimensional radionuclide transport under time-varying fluid-flow conditions including radioactive decay but with the approximation that all radionuclides have identical retardation factors. The solution is used to obtain exact expressions for the cumulative radionuclide mass transported past a fixed point in space over a given time period, and to assess the effects of a periodic perturbation and a step change on the fluid-flow velocity and dispersion coefficient. 14 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

Sandia National Laboratories, in conjunction with the Department of Energy Computer Integrated Manufacturing Program, supports the use of the Department of Energy Data Exchange Format (DOEDEF) subset of IGES (the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) for exchanges of mechanical product definition data between dissimilar computer aided systems of various types. The background for this position is described here.

This report summarizes about 1260 tests performed on small threaded fasteners (equal to or less than 1/4 inch in diameter and designated as 1/4-20 UNC, {number sign}4-40 UNC, {number sign}2-56 UNC, and 1.0 UNM). Tests determined the tensile strengths of the screws, the lengths of engagement needed to develop the full tensile strengths when the screws were engaged in 6061-T6 Aluminum, Hiperco 50, and 303 Stainless Steel, and whether relationships existed between the tensile strengths and Knoop Micro-Hardness measurements taken on the threaded ends of the screws. 17 figs., 13 tabs.

We studied the sintering behavior of high field chem-prep ZnO varistors using dilatometry and determined how sintering conditions influence the varistor's electrical properties. The dilatometric results indicated that 95% theoretical densities could be obtained with a soak time of only 0.5 hour above 752{degree}C, using a 3{degree}C/min ramp rate; greater shrinkage did not occur for soak temperatures above 752{degree}C. A variety of soak times and temperatures was found to be capable of producing varistors with acceptable electrical properties. The variation in the switching field, E{sub s} (at a current density of 10 A/cm{sup 2}), with soak temperature was found to be significantly less for short soak times than for the standard 16 hour soak time. Annealing sintered pellets at 700{degree}C for 4 hours raised the nonlinearity coefficients by {approximately}25% and decreased E{sub s} by {approximately}10%. This uniform decrease in E{sub s} led to a further reduction in the slope of E{sub s} vs soak temperature for values of E{sub s} in the specified range of interest. Further testing of more samples, of samples from different powder batches, and of samples annealed at various temperatures needs to be performed to verify these results. 19 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

A 1:6-scale model of a reinforced concrete containment building was pressurized incrementally to failure at a remote site at Sandia National Laboratories. The response of the model was recorded with more than 1000 channels of data (primarily strain and displacement measurements) at 37 discrete pressure levels. The primary objective of this test was to generate data that could be used to validate methods for predicting the performance of containment buildings subject to loads beyond their design basis. Extensive analyses were conducted before the test to predict the behavior of the model. Ten organizations in Europe and the US conducted independent analyses of the model and contributed to a report on the pretest predictions. Predictions included structural response at certain predetermined locations in the model as well as capacity and failure mode. This report discusses comparisons between the pretest predictions and the experimental results. Posttest evaluations that were conducted to provide additional insight into the model behavior are also described. The significance of the analysis and testing of the 1:6-scale model to performance evaluations of actual containments subject to beyond design basis loads is also discussed. 70 refs., 428 figs., 24 tabs.

In this report we describe the development of an unconventional fabrication process using traditional printed-circuit-board materials for assembly into a geophysical electrical simulator. This simulator serves as a bench top geophysical electrical simulation facility for studying and validating dc and very-low-frequency geophysical responses of interest in geologic formations. Soft copper sheet was laminated to glass/epoxy prepreg, without the use of brown oxide coating or any other adhesion promoter, to form a triangle of compound curvature. These triangles were instrumented by the Advanced Process Technology Division and were then assembled into the final hemisphere by the Organic Materials Division. The back side of the hemisphere assembly was encapsulated in polyurethane foam to provide a rigid structure. 1 ref., 10 figs.

A series of shock-loading experiments on an energetic propellant and its simulant was conducted on a light-gas gun. The purpose of this work was to characterize the shock sensitivity of WAK-2, which is a composite-modified, double-based, booster-rocket propellant and its simulant UGS. The initial objectives were to obtain Hugoniot data, to investigate the pressure threshold at which a reaction occurs, and to measure spall threshold at various impact velocities. The Hugoniot data obtained for the propellant fits the Hugoniot curve provided by the manufacturer of the propellant. A Hugoniot curve developed for the simulant was found to match that of the propellant. The initial density, {rho}{sub 0}, initial bulk sound velocity, C{sub 0}, and constant S values for the energetic propellant WAK-2 and its simulant UGS were 1.85 g/cm{sup 3}, 2.2 mm/{mu}s and 2.66, respectively. The ignition threshold pressure of the WAK-2 was found to be in the range of 3 kbar. A violent reaction was observed for a sample impacted at a pressure of 22 kbar. In spall tests, impact pressures in the range of 1.1 to 3.1 kbar were applied to the propellant/simulant. The propellant exhibited spall strengths {approximately}0.33 kbar, with its simulant being somewhat weaker, {approximately}0.22 kbar. Scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis were used to characterize the microstructures of the materials and to determine the details of the spall events. 20 refs., 19 figs., 9 tabs.

CEPXS is a multigroup-Legendre cross-section generating code. The multigroup-Legendre cross sections produced by CEPXS enable coupled electron-photon transport calculations to be performed with the one-dimensional discrete ordinates code, ONEDANT. We recommend that the 1989 version of ONEDANT that contains linear-discontinuous spatial differencing and S2 synthetic acceleration be used for such calculations. CEPXS/ONEDANT effectively solves the Boltzmann-CSD transport equation for electrons and the Boltzmann transport equation for photons over the energy range from 100 MeV to 1.0 keV. The continuous slowing-down approximation is used for those electron interactions that result in small-energy losses. The extended transport correction is applied to the forward-peaked elastic scattering cross section for electrons. A standard multigroup-Legendre treatment is used for the other coupled electron-photon cross sections. CEPXS extracts electron cross-section information from the DATAPAC data set and photon cross-section information from Biggs-Lighthill data. The model that is used for ionization/relaxation in CEPXS is essentially the same as that employed in ITS. 43 refs., 8 figs.

Simple mixture rules are used to calculate input parameters for an analytic equation of state package (ANEOS) to model saturated limestone as a homogeneous material. This method is used to determine changes in material parameters as the volume fraction of water in the rock changes. Hugoniots determined from these are compared with experimental and theoretical Hugoniots for saturated limestone samples with various porosity levels. Ground shock calculations are also performed to model a deeply buried 500 kiloton explosion in saturated limestone containing various amounts of water. 37 refs., 29 figs.

The Data Retention Chassis (DRC) is a data acquisition component based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor. The purpose of the DRC is to download the correct set-up parameters into sixteen Tektronix 7912 digitizers, to verify that the digitizers retain their settings, and (once the digitizers have triggered) to load that data into the DRC battery back-up CMOS memory. The DRC also has a circuit built into it called the COMMAND LINK. With the help of the TA698 Alternate Common Equipment (ACE), the user employs this link to communicate interactively with the digitizers and the DRC. Another circuit built into the DRC is the data stream multiplexer (DSM) for high-speed data transfers.

A boundary layer theory for the flow of power-law fluids in a converging planar channel has been developed. This theory suggests a Reynolds number for such flows, and following numerical integration, a boundary layer thickness. This boundary layer thickness has been used in the generation of a finite element mesh for the finite element code FIDAP. FIDAP was then used to simulate the flow of power-law fluids through a converging channel. Comparison of the analytic and finite element results shows the two to be in very good agreement in regions where entrance and exit effects (not considered in the boundary layer theory) can be neglected. 6 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, has been designated as Lead Center for the Exploratory Battery Technology Development and Testing Project, which is sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Storage and Distribution. In this capacity, Sandia is responsible for the engineering development of advanced rechargeable batteries for both mobile and stationary energy storage applications. This report details the technical achievements realized in pursuit of the Lead Center's goals during calendar year 1988.

To provide the assurance that a newly developed system meets customer requirements, certification testing of the system must be performed. The MIVS Program Plan required the generation of a Certification Test Plan, detailing the necessary steps required to certify the performance, reliability and quality of the MIVS. This report explains the results of the multi-element environmental testing, of the safety tests performed on the units, and the mechanical shock and random vibrations tests. 3 figs.

The Modular Integrated Video System (MIVS) was developed to provide a replacement surveillance system for the IAEA's Twin Minolta Film Camera System. This task was sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Program for Technical Assistance to IAEA Safeguards (POTAS). This is the final report describing the development, testing, and production of the MIVS. It begins with the generation of a Program Plan identifying the principal steps necessary for the development of a highly reliable, quality surveillance system. Among these steps were the generation of the functional specifications and the certification test plan. These documents describe prototype development and demonstration, Class III production, environmental testing, reliability testing, field commissioning, and commercial manufacturer selection. Data accumulated from the various steps of the Program Plan are presented in this final report. 10 figs.