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VISAR Validation Test Series at the Light Initiated High Explosive (LIHE) facility

Covert, Timothy T.

A velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) was recently deployed at the light initiated high explosive facility (LIHE) to measure the velocity of an explosively accelerated flyer plate. The velocity data from the flyer plate experiments, using the vendor's fringe constant of 100m/s/fringe, were consistently lower than model predictions. The goal of the VISAR validation test series was to confirm the VISAR system fringe constant. A low velocity gas gun was utilized to impact and accelerate a target at the LIHE facility. VISAR velocity data from the accelerated target was compared against an independent velocity measurement. The data from this test series did in fact reveal the fringe constant was significantly higher than the vendor's specification. The correct fringe constant for the LIHE VISAR system has been determined to be 123 m/s/fringe. The Light Initiated High Explosive (LIHE) facility recently completed a Phase I test series to develop an explosively accelerated flyer plate (X-Flyer). The X-Flyer impulse technique consists of first spraying a thin layer of silver acetylide silver nitrate explosive onto a thin flyer plate. The explosive is then initiated using an intense flash of light. The explosive detonation accelerates the flyer across a small air gap towards the test item. The impact of the flyer with the test item creates a shock pulse and an impulsive load in the test unit. The goal of Phase I of the X-Flyer development series was to validate the technique theory and design process. One of the key parameters that control the shock pulse and impulsive load is the velocity of the flyer at impact. To measure this key parameter, a velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) was deployed at the LIHE facility. The VISAR system was assembled by Sandia personnel from the Explosive Projects and Diagnostics department. The VISAR was a three leg, push-pull system using a fixed delay cavity. The primary optical components consisted of a delay bar and stand off that holds the air-reference mirror. When this component was ordered 2 years ago, a fringe constant of 100 m/s/fringe for a 532nm laser was specified. The fabrication/assembly vendor went out of business shortly after delivering the component and did not deliver the certification papers with the component. The vendor documentation to verify the fringe constant was not made available to Sandia. VISAR systems were generally not calibrated because the fringe constant could be determined from a known glass index of refraction and length. The VISAR system was deployed at the LIHE facility using the specified 100m/s/fringe. The Phase I X-Flyer development series was completed successfully measuring flyer velocities using the VISAR system. However flyer velocity measurements were on average 18% lower than analytical model predictions. In an effort to resolve the consistently slow velocity data, the VISAR data was under scrutiny. The purpose of the LIHE VISAR validation test series is to verify the velocity data taken with the VISAR system.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2007
DOIOSTI

Verification and validation benchmarks

Oberkampf, William L.; Trucano, Timothy G.

Verification and validation (V&V) are the primary means to assess the accuracy and reliability of computational simulations. V&V methods and procedures have fundamentally improved the credibility of simulations in several high-consequence fields, such as nuclear reactor safety, underground nuclear waste storage, and nuclear weapon safety. Although the terminology is not uniform across engineering disciplines, code verification deals with assessing the reliability of the software coding, and solution verification deals with assessing the numerical accuracy of the solution to a computational model. Validation addresses the physics modeling accuracy of a computational simulation by comparing the computational results with experimental data. Code verification benchmarks and validation benchmarks have been constructed for a number of years in every field of computational simulation. However, no comprehensive guidelines have been proposed for the construction and use of V&V benchmarks. For example, the field of nuclear reactor safety has not focused on code verification benchmarks, but it has placed great emphasis on developing validation benchmarks. Many of these validation benchmarks are closely related to the operations of actual reactors at near-safety-critical conditions, as opposed to being more fundamental-physics benchmarks. This paper presents recommendations for the effective design and use of code verification benchmarks based on manufactured solutions, classical analytical solutions, and highly accurate numerical solutions. In addition, this paper presents recommendations for the design and use of validation benchmarks, highlighting the careful design of building-block experiments, the estimation of experimental measurement uncertainty for both inputs and outputs to the code, validation metrics, and the role of model calibration in validation. It is argued that the understanding of predictive capability of a computational model is built on the level of achievement in V&V activities, how closely related the V&V benchmarks are to the actual application of interest, and the quantification of uncertainties related to the application of interest.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2007
DOIOSTI

Evaluation of weld porosity in laser beam seam welds: optimizing continuous wave and square wave modulated processes

Norris, J.T.; Perricone, Matthew J.; Roach, R.A.

Nd:YAG laser joining is a high energy density (HED) process that can produce high-speed, low-heat input welds with a high depth-to-width aspect ratio. This is optimized by formation of a ''keyhole'' in the weld pool resulting from high vapor pressures associated with laser interaction with the metallic substrate. It is generally accepted that pores form in HED welds due to the instability and frequent collapse of the keyhole. In order to maintain an open keyhole, weld pool forces must be balanced such that vapor pressure and weld pool inertia forces are in equilibrium. Travel speed and laser beam power largely control the way these forces are balanced, as well as welding mode (Continuous Wave or Square Wave) and shielding gas type. A study into the phenomenon of weld pool porosity in 304L stainless steel was conducted to better understand and predict how welding parameters impact the weld pool dynamics that lead to pore formation. This work is intended to aid in development and verification of a finite element computer model of weld pool fluid flow dynamics being developed in parallel efforts and assist in weld development activities for the W76 and future RRW programs.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2007
DOIOSTI

University of Utah ASC site review. August 24-25, 2006

Hertel, Eugene S.

This report is a review of progress made by the Center for the Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions (C-SAFE) at the University of Utah, during the ninth year (Fiscal 2006) of its existence as an activity funded by the Department of Energy's Advanced Simulation and Computing Program (ASC). The ten-member Review Team composed of the TST and AST spent two days (August 24-25, 2006) at the University, reviewing formal presentations and demonstrations by the C-SAFE researchers and conferring privately. The Review Team found that the C-SAFE project administrators and staff had prepared well for the review. C-SAFE management and staff openly shared extensive answers to unexpected questions and the advance materials were well prepared and very informative. We believe that the time devoted to the review was used effectively and hope that the recommendations included in this 2006 report will provide helpful guidance to C-SAFE personnel and ASC managers.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2007
DOIOSTI

Modeling the anisotropic finite-deformation viscoelastic behavior of soft fiber-reinforced composite materials

Proposed for publication in International Journal of Solids and Structures.

Boyce, Brad B.; Jones, Reese E.

This paper presents constitutive models for the anisotropic, finite-deformation viscoelastic behavior of soft fiber-reinforced composites. An essential assumption of the models is that both the fiber reinforcements and matrix can exhibit distinct time-dependent behavior. As such, the constitutive formulation attributes a different viscous stretch measure and free energy density to the matrix and fiber phases. Separate flow rules are specified for the matrix and the individual fiber families. The flow rules for the fiber families then are combined to give an anisotropic flow rule for the fiber phase. This is in contrast to many current inelastic models for soft fiber-reinforced composites which specify evolution equations directly at the composite level. The approach presented here allows key model parameters of the composite to be related to the properties of the matrix and fiber constituents and to the fiber arrangement. An efficient algorithm is developed for the implementation of the constitutive models in a finite-element framework, and examples are presented examining the effects of the viscoelastic behavior of the matrix and fiber phases on the time-dependent response of the composite.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2007
OSTIDOI

Controller's 2006 annual report : fiscal year ending September 30, 2006

Conaway, Richard A.

I am pleased to present the CFO's FY06 Financial Report for Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). As a contractor to DOE and other government agencies, the bulk of SNL's revenue is from tax dollars. SNL's FY06 total revenue, total expenditures, and total employment levels were slightly below the FY05 record high levels. Throughout FY06, SNL business staff continued to improve SNL's financial stewardship of entrusted taxpayer funds through implementation of best-in-class practices in financial business operations and internal control policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all accounting standards and provide accountability to our customers. Our FY06 efforts focused on process certification and improvement, implementing OMB Circular A-123, achieving assurance activities, implementation of a Financial Management Competency Program throughout SNL, and continuous assessment of trends and emerging issues.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2007
DOIOSTI
Results 80901–81000 of 96,771
Results 80901–81000 of 96,771