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Transport casks for radioactive materials have to withstand the 9 m drop test, 1 m puncture drop test and dynamic crush test with regard to the mechanical requirements according to the IAEA regulations. The safety assessment of the package can be carried out on the basis of experimental investigations with prototypes or models of appropriate scale, calculations, by reference to previous satisfactory safety demonstrations of a sufficiently similar nature or a combination of these methods. Computational methods are increasingly used for the assessment of mechanical test scenarios. However, it must be guaranteed that the calculation methods provide reliable results. Important quality assurance measures at BAM are given concerning the preparation, run and evaluation of a numerical analysis with reference to the appropriate guidelines.
Hence, a successful application of the finite element method requires a suitable mesh. An analysis of the 1 m puncture drop test using successively refined finite element meshes was performed to find an acceptable mesh size and to study the mesh convergence using explicit dynamic finite element codes. The finite element model of the cask structure and the puncture bar is described. At the beginning a coarse mesh was created. Then this mesh was refined in two steps. In each step the size of the elements was bisected. The deformation of the mesh and the stresses were evaluated dependent on the mesh size. Finally, the results were extrapolated to an infinite fine mesh or the continuous body, respectively. The uncertainty of the numerical solution due to the discretization of the continuous problem is given. A safety factor is discussed to account for the uncertainty. The calculation results are compared with experimental data from a puncture drop test with a half-scale model of a cylindrical cask.
This paper supports the convergence studies of the Task Group on Computational Modeling for Explicit Dynamics reporting to the ASME BPV Code Working Group on Design Methodology.
Within the last years BAM has carried out numerous drop tests with prototype casks made of ductile cast iron onto targets according to the requirements for final disposal of non-heat generating waste in the German KONRAD repository. The results have shown that the target specifications in the acceptance criteria have to be defined more accurately to get reproducible test results with high precision. Hence, a suitable test stand foundation was developed with much effort. The integrity of the upper concrete layer of this target must be preserved during a test.
Recently the geometrical properties of a tested cubic cast iron container led to a concentration of the impact forces beneath the container walls. The target was damaged strongly with the consequence of inadmissible reduction of cask stresses. For that reason the target construction was modified. However, the basic design was not changed. A prefabricated concrete slab was still joined by a mortar layer to the IAEA target of the BAM drop test facility. In the course of the optimization of the test stand foundation the concrete slab dimensions and the reinforcement were enlarged. During the drop test repetition the target kept intact. Additionally, the mechanical behavior of the cast iron container and the target was analyzed by finite element calculations.
This improved target construction is suggested as a reference target for drop tests with casks whose mass and base area are covered by the container types VI or VII respectively according to the KONRAD repository acceptance criteria.
The measurements during the drop tests with cast iron casks have provided the strains on the cask surface at selected positions. This allows the verification of finite element simulations of drop tests which show the stress distribution also inside the component. In September 2008 a drop test was carried out with a cylindrical cast iron cask containing an artificial material defect which was designed under consideration of critical stress states in the cask body. This drop test could demonstrate the safety against failure by fracture of a cask made of a special cast iron with reduced fracture toughness.
A material testing program to characterize the concrete behavior under static and dynamic loads
(2010)
In this paper a comprehensive material testing program is described to characterize a German final repository concrete material (BERB1) subjected to static and dynamic loads. The BERB1 material was developed und specified by the German Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) for targets used for drop tests according to the KONRAD requirements.
The testing consists of three concurrent laboratory experimental programs performed in the USA. An extensive preliminary testing program in Germany was performed to assure the required concrete specifications during fabrication and curing.
The first set of data is the static basic material test program consisting of structural tests to quantify macroscopic concrete properties under quasi-static loads. Cubic and cylindrical specimens are investigated under this effort. The second set of test data is from the static complete material test program, where cylindrical concrete specimens are subjected to a variety of quasi-static axial and radial stress and strain paths using a high-pressure hydraulic tri-axial chamber. The material is characterized for confining pressures up to 400 MPa. The third set of data is from the dynamic complete material test program, which uses a modified Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar to induce dynamic compression and tension waves into cylindrical concrete specimens that generate strain-rates up to 400 s-1.
The ensemble of data generated in these experiments provides a complete set of data that effectively describes the behavior of this concrete and can be used to develop a constitutive calculation model. In addition, the results of the tests show a significant effect of moisture on the strength and rheology of this concrete for quasi-static pressures greater than 50 MPa. Numerical drop test simulations with the developed constitutive model in the Lagrangian finite element code, LS-DYNA, show good agreement with the experimental results from a BAM research project.
Mechanical drop test scenarios for Type B (U) packages according to the IAEA regulations have to be carried out onto the so-called “unyielding target” (usually with cask impact limiters) and onto the puncture bar respectively. They are predefined and do not require any further investigation of scenarios that really could happen on transportation routes. Cask accident scenarios in the framework of approval procedures for interim storage sites are derived from a detailed analysis of the handling procedures necessary from arrival of cask at the site to its storing position.
In that case, casks are usually handled without impact limiters. Dependent on possible drop heights, drop positions and floor properties, conservative cask accident scenarios are derived for further safety proofs.
According to the mechanical assessment concept of the considered approval procedure numerical calculations have to be provided by the applicant to demonstrate mechanical cask safety. Stresses and strains in the cask body as well as in the lid System have to be identified and assessed. Using the example of a 3-mvertical-drop of a transport and storage cask for spent fuel elements onto the floor construction made of damping concrete covered by screed, BAM developed a finite element model. The finite element code ABAQUS/Explicit™ was used. Results of experimental investigations are not available. Therefore parameter studies are necessary to identify the sensitivity of the finite element model to significant Parameters and to verify the finite element models according to the requirements of the Guidelines for the Numerical Safety Analyses for the Approval of Transport and Storage Casks for Radioactive Materials (BAM GGR-008).
The paper describes the modeling of the material behavior and attachment of bottom side cask components. Questions concerning the modeling of a crack length limiting reinforcement in the screed layer are discussed. The influence of the mesh density of the screed layer and its strength is considered as well. Finally, the developed finite element model can be used for a numerical safety assessment. It can help to understand the complex mechanisms of the interaction between the cask components and floor construction.
Elastomer seals are widely used as barrier seals in containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste and for spent fuel transportation casks. In addition, they are also used for spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)) as auxiliary seals to allow leakage rate measurements of metal barrier seals for demonstration of their proper assembling conditions. Depending on the area of use, the rubber materials have to demonstrate proper sealing performance with regard to mechanical, thermal, and environmental conditions as well as irradiation during the entire operation period. Concerning DPC, degradation effects should be limited in a way that, for example, effects from potentially released decomposition elements may not harm e.g. metal barrier seals. Leakage rate measurements should be possible also after long interim storage periods prior to subsequent transportation.
Because of the complex requirements resulting from the various applications of containers for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, BAM has initiated several test programmes for investigating the behaviour of elastomer seals. In this contribution the current status is described and first results are discussed.
Polyurethane foam used as impact limiter material undergoes high plastic deformations, whereat the resulting stress-strain relations strongly depend on loading speed and temperature. This paper discusses the efforts necessary to develop a reliable numerical foam simulation model focussing on generation and implementation of temperature- dependent yield curves
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste as well as in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, extended periods of interim storage become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and especially responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues.
The long-term performance of elastomer seals for lid systems of transport and storage casks, whether used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel casks or as primary seals for low and intermediate level waste packages, is an important issue in this context. The polymeric structure of these seals causes a complex mechanical behavior with time-dependent sealing force reduction.
The results of a comprehensive purpose-designed test program consisting of basic compression and tension tests as well as relaxation tests on unaged specimens of representative types of elastomers (fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)) at different temperatures and strain rates are presented. They were used to identify the constitutive behavior and to obtain parameters for finite element material models provided by the computer code ABAQUS®. After estimating the influence of uncertainties such as Poisson’s ratio and friction coefficient by sensitivity analyses, the chosen parameters had to prove their suitability for the finite element simulation of the specimen tests themselves.
Based on this preliminary work the simulation of a specific laboratory test configuration containing a typical elastomer seal with circular cross section is presented. The chosen finite element material model and the implemented parameters had to show that they are able to represent not only the specimen behavior under predominantly uniaxial load but also the more complex stress states in real components. Deviations between the measured and calculated results are pointed out and discussed.
For the consideration of long-term effects in the simulation of elastomer behavior, test results of aged specimens are needed. First information about a new test program, started recently and planned to provide these data, are given.
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste as well as in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, extended periods of interim storage become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and especially responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues.
The long-term performance of elastomer seals for lid systems of transport and storage casks, whether used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel casks or as primary seals for low and intermediate level waste packages, is an important issue in this context. The polymeric structure of these seals causes a complex mechanical behavior with time-dependent sealing force reduction.
The results of a comprehensive purpose-designed test program consisting of basic compression and tension tests as well as relaxation tests on unaged specimens of representative types of elastomers (fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)) at different temperatures and strain rates are presented. They were used to identify the constitutive behavior and to obtain parameters for finite element material models provided by the computer code ABAQUS®. After estimating the influence of uncertainties such as Poisson’s ratio and friction coefficient by sensitivity analyses, the chosen parameters had to prove their suitability for the finite element simulation of the specimen tests themselves.
Based on this preliminary work the simulation of a specific laboratory test configuration containing a typical elastomer seal with circular cross section is presented. The chosen finite element material model and the implemented parameters had to show that they are able to represent not only the specimen behavior under predominantly uniaxial load but also the more complex stress states in real components. Deviations between the measured and calculated results are pointed out and discussed.
For the consideration of long-term effects in the simulation of elastomer behavior, test results of aged specimens are needed. First information about a new test program, started recently and planned to provide these data, are given.
Existing spent nuclear fuel (SF) and high active waste (HAW) management policies and practices worldwide are the result of past presumptions that sufficient reprocessing and/or disposal capacity would be available in the near term. Consequently, in the past many countries have developed specific solutions for different periods of time due to their individual national nuclear policies.
In Germany the concept of dry interim storage in dual purpose metal casks before disposal is being pursued for SF and HAW management and transport and storage licenses have been issued accordingly. The current operation licenses for existing storage facilities have been granted for a storage period of up to 40 years. This concept has demonstrated its suitability for over 20 years so far. Relevant safety requirements have been assessed for the short-term as well as for the long-term for site-specific operational and accidental storage conditions. But in the meantime significant delays in the national repository siting procedure occurred which will make extended storage periods necessary in the future.
Among other mechanical tests the 1 meter drop onto a steel puncture bar shall be considered for accident safe packages for the transport of radioactive material. According with the IAEA regulations “the bar shall be of solid mild steel of circular section, 15.0 ± 0.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long, unless a longer bar would cause greater damage…”. The most damaging puncture bar length can be estimated by iterative processes in numerical simulations. On the one hand, a sufficient puncture bar length has to guarantee that shock absorbers or other attachments do not prevent or reduce the local load application to the package, on the other hand, a longer and thus less stiff bar causes a smaller maximum contact force. The contrary influence of increasing puncture bar length and increasing effective drop height shall be taken into account if a shock absorber is directly placed in the target area. The paper presents a numerical approach to identify the bar length that causes maximum damage to the package. Using the example of two typical package masses the sensitivity of contact forces and puncture bar deformations to the initial length are calculated and assessed with regard to the international IAEA package safety requirements.
In the design approval of transport packages for radioactive materials, the mechanical and thermal safety assessment is carried out in Germany by competent authority BAM. In recent years BAM was involved in several licensing procedures of new spent fuel and HLW package designs, where the cask body is of Ductile Cast Iron (DCI). According to IAEA regulations package designs have to fulfill requirements for specific conditions of transport. Type B(U) packages must withstand the defined accident conditions of transport. The temperature range from -40°C up to the operational temperature has to be considered. For the cask material DCI, it is necessary to determine safety against brittle fracture. The German guideline BAM-GGR 007 defines requirements for fracture mechanics of packagings made of DCI. Due to complex cask body structure and the dynamic loading a fracture mechanical assessment by analytical approaches is not always possible. Experience of recent design approval procedures show that the application of numerical calculations are applicable to determine the stresses and stress intensity factors in the cask body. At the first step a numerical analysis has to be done to identify
the loading state at the whole cask body. Secondly an analysis of a detail of the cask body is made considering the displacement boundary conditions of the global model. An artificial flaw is considered in this detailed model to calculate the fracture mechanical loading state. The finite element mesh was strongly refined in the area of the flaw. The size of the artificial flaw is based on the ultrasonic inspection acceptance criteria applied for cask body manufacture. The
applicant (GNS) developed additional analysis tools for calculation of stress intensity factor and/or J-Integral. The assessment approach by BAM led to the decision to develop own tools to the possibility for independent proof of the results.
The paper describes the authority assessment approach for DCI fracture mechanics analysis. The validation procedure incl. the development of own tools is explained. BAM developed a postprocessor to determine the fracture mechanical loads. A horizontal 1 m puncture bar drop test is used to give a detailed description of the assessment procedure.
Due to delays in the site-selection procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and in construction of the already licensed Konrad-repository for low and intermediate level waste without heat generation, extended periods of interim storage become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and especially responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues.
The long-term performance of elastomer seals for lid Systems of transport and storage casks whether used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel caslcs or as primary seals for low and intermediate level waste packages is an important issue in this context (Jaunich, 2013; Jaunich, 2014; Kömmling, 2015). The polymeric structure of these seals causes a complex mechanical behaviour with time-dependent elasticity reduction and loss of elastic recovery.
The paper presents first results of a comprehensive test Programme consisting of several static and dynamic mechanical short- and long-term tests which have been carried out at BAM on specimens made of representative types of elastomers, fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The investigation of the test results used to identify material models and their Parameters as well as the development of two finite element models for the numerical Simulation of tension and compression tests using the finite element code ABAQUS® are described. The calculation results are presented in comparison to the test results. The influence of important material and test parameters was investigated and discussed in sensitivity analyses.
In the approval procedure of transport packages for radioactive materials, the mechanical and thermal safety assessment is carried out in Germany by competent authority BAM. In recent years BAM was involved in several licensing procedures of new spent fuel and HLW package designs, where the cask body was made of Ductile Cast Iron (DCI). According to IAEA regulations package designs have to fulfill requirements for specific conditions of transport. Type B(U) packages must withstand the defined accident conditions of transport. The temperature range from -40°C up to the operational temperature has to be considered. For the cask material DCI, it is necessary to determine the brittle fracture behavior. The German guideline BAM-GGR 007 defines requirements for the fracture mechanics of DCI. Due to complex structure of the cask body and the dynamic loading a fracture mechanical assessment in an analytical kind is not always possible. Experience of recent design approval procedures show that the application of numerical calculations are applicable to determine the fracture mechanical load in the cask body. At the first step a numerical analysis has to be done to identify the loading state at the whole cask body. Secondly an analysis of a detail of the cask body is made considering the displacement boundary conditions of the global model. An artificial flaw is considered in this detailed model to calculate the fracture mechanical loading state. The finite element mesh was strongly refined in the area of flaw. The size of the artificial flaw is characterized by the ultrasonic inspection used for the quality assurance of the package. The applicant developed additional analysis tools for calculation of stress intensity factor and/or J-Integral. The assessment approach by BAM led to the decision to develop own tools to the possibility for independent check of the results.
The paper describes the authority assessment approach for the DCI fracture mechanics analysis. The validation procedure incl. the development of own tools is explained. BAM developed a post-processor called JINFEM to determine the fracture mechanical loads. The regulatory 1 m puncture bar drop test is used to give an example of the assessment procedure.
Influence of dense near-surface reinforcement layers in concrete slabs of test stand foundatins
(2012)
In the approval procedure of transport packages for radioactive materials, the competent authority mechanical and thermal safety assessment is carried out in Germany by BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. The combination of experimental investigations and numerical calculations in conjunction with materials and components testing is the basis of the safety assessment concept of the BAM. Among other mechanical test scenarios, a 1 metre drop test onto a steel bar has to be considered for the application of the hypothetical accident conditions to Type B packages according to IAEA regulations. Within the approval procedure for the new German package design of the HLW cask CASTOR® HAW 28M, designed by GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service Germany, a puncture drop test was performed with a half-scale model of the cask at -40°C. For independent assessment and to control the safety analysis presented by the applicant, BAM developed a complex finite element (FE) model for a dynamical ABAQUS/ExplicitTM analysis. This paper describes in detail the use of the FE method for modelling the puncture drop test within an actual assessment strategy. At first, investigations of the behaviour of the steel bar were carried out. Different friction coefficients and the material law of the bar were analysed by using a 'rigid-body' approximation for the cask body. In the next step, a more detailed FE model with a more realistic material definition for the cask body was developed. The validation of calculated strains was carried out by comparison with the results of the strain gauges located at the relevant points of the cask model. The influence of the FE meshing is described. Finally, the validated FE half-scale model was expanded to full-scale dimension. Scaling effects were analysed. The model was used for safety assessment of the package to be approved.
This paper demonstrates exemplarily how numerical and experimental approaches can be combined reasonably in mechanical assessment of package integrity according to the IAEA regulations. The paper also concentrates on the question about how static mechanical approaches can be applied, and what their problems are in relation to dynamic calculation approaches. Under defined impact tests, which represent accident transport conditions, the package has to withstand impact loading, e.g. resulting from a 9 m free drop onto an unyielding target in sequence with a 1 m puncture drop test. Owing to the local character of the interaction between the puncture bar and the cask body, it is possible to develop a dynamic numerical model for the 1 m puncture drop which allows an appropriate simulation of the interaction area. Results from existing experimental drop tests with prototype or small scale cask models can be used for verification and validation of applied analysis codes and models. The link between analysis and experimental drop testing is described exemplarily by considering a regulatory 1 m puncture bar drop test onto the cask body of a recently approved German high level waste transport package. For the 9 m drop test of the package, it is difficult to develop a dynamic numerical model of the package due to the complexity of the interaction between cask body, impact limiters and unyielding target. Dynamic calculations require an extensive verification with experimental results. The simulation of a 9 m drop of a package with impact limiters is thereby often more complex than the simulation of a 1 m puncture drop onto the cask body. A different approximation method can be applied for the consideration of dynamic effects on the impact loading of the package. In a first step, maximum impact force and rigid body deceleration of the cask body during the impact process can be calculated with simplified numerical tools. This rigid body deceleration can subsequently be applied on a verified static numerical model. Dynamic effects, which cannot be covered by the static numerical analysis, have therefore to be considered by using an additional dynamic factor. The paper describes this approach exemplarily for a 9 m horizontal drop of a typical spent fuel cask design.
Transport casks for radioactive materials have to withstand the 9 m drop test, 1 m puncture drop test and dynamic crush test with regard to the mechanical requirements according to the IAEA regulations. The safety assessment of the package can be carried out on the basis of experimental investigations with prototypes or models of appropriate scale, calculations, by reference to previous satisfactory safety demonstrations of a sufficiently similar nature or a combination of these methods. Computational methods are increasingly used for the assessment of mechanical test scenarios. However, it must be guaranteed that the calculation methods provide reliable results. Important quality assurance measures at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing are given concerning the preparation, run and evaluation of a numerical analysis with reference to the appropriate guidelines. Hence, a successful application of the finite element (FE) method requires a suitable mesh. An analysis of the 1 m puncture drop test using successively refined FE meshes was performed to find an acceptable mesh size and to study the mesh convergence using explicit dynamic FE codes. The FE model of the cask structure and the puncture bar is described. At the beginning a coarse mesh was created. Then this mesh was refined in two steps. In each step the size of the elements was bisected. The deformation of the mesh and the stresses were evaluated dependent on the mesh size. Finally, the results were extrapolated to an infinite fine mesh or the continuous body, respectively. The uncertainty of the numerical solution due to the discretisation of the continuous problem is given. A safety factor is discussed to account for the uncertainty.
In the approval procedure of transport packages for radioactive materials, the competent authority mechanical and thermal safety assessment is carried out in Germany by BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing.
The combination of experimental investigations and numerical calculations in conjunction with materials and components testing is the basis of the safety assessment concept of the BAM.
Among other mechanical test scenarios a 1 meter drop test onto a steel bar has to be considered for hypothetical accident conditions of Type B packages according to IAEA regulations.
Within the approval procedure for the new German package design of the HLW cask CASTOR® HAW 28M, designed by GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service Germany, a puncture drop test was performed with a half-scale model of the cask at -40°C.
For independent assessment and to control the safety analysis presented by applicant, BAM developed a complex finite element model for a dynamical ABAQUS/ExplicitTM analysis. This paper describes in detail the use of the finite element (FE) method for modeling the puncture drop test within an actual assessment strategy.
At first investigations of the behaviour of the steel bar are carried out. Different friction coefficients and the material law of the bar are analysed by using a 'rigid-body' approximation for the cask body.
In the next step a more detailed FE model with a more realistic material definition for the cask body is developed. Strain verification is possible by results of the strain gauges located at the relevant points of the cask model. The influence of the finite element meshing is described.
Finally, the verified FE half-scale model is expanded to full-scale dimension. Scaling effects are analysed. The model is used for safety assessment of the package to be approved.
Testing and numerical simulation of elastomeric seals under consideration of time dependent effects
(2016)
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level waste, extended periods of interim storage will become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and is responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues. Elastomeric seals are widely used as barrier seals for containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. In addition they are also used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)).
To address the complex requirements resulting from the described applications, BAM has initiated several test programs for investigating the behavior of elastomeric seals. These include experiments concerning the hyperelastic and viscoelastic behavior at different temperatures and strain rates, the low temperature performance down to -40°C, the influence of gamma irradiation and the aging behavior.
The first part of the paper gives an overview of these tests, their relevant results and their possible impact on BAM’s work as a consultant in the framework of approval and licensing procedures.
The second part presents an approach of the development of a finite element model using the finite element code ABAQUS®. The long-term goal is to simulate the complex elastomeric behavior in a complete lid closure system under specific operation and accident conditions.
Testing and numerical simulation of elastomeric seals under consideration of time dependent effects
(2016)
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level waste, extended periods of interim storage will become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and is responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues. Elastomeric seals are widely used as barrier seals for containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. In addition they are also used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)).
To address the complex requirements resulting from the described applications, BAM has initiated several test programs for investigating the behavior of elastomeric seals. These include experiments concerning the hyperelastic and viscoelastic behavior at different temperatures and strain rates, the low temperature performance down to -40°C, the influence of gamma irradiation and the aging behavior.
The first part of the paper gives an overview of these tests, their relevant results and their possible impact on BAM’s work as a consultant in the framework of approval and licensing procedures.
The second part presents an approach of the development of a finite element model using the finite element code ABAQUS®. The long-term goal is to simulate the complex elastomeric behavior in a complete lid closure system under specific operation and accident conditions.
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is assessing the mechanical and thermal safety performance of packages for the transport of radioactive materials. Drop testing and numerical calculations are usually part of the safety case concepts, where BAM is performing the regulatory tests at their own test facility site.
Among other mechanical tests the 1 meter drop onto a steel puncture bar shall be considered for accident safe packages. According to the IAEA regulations “the bar shall be of solid mild steel of circular section, 15.0 ± 0.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long, unless a longer bar would cause greater damage…”.
Particularly with regard to the German transport- and storage cask designs, often made from ductile cast iron, an accurate determination of the puncture bar length to guarantee a load impact covering the worst case scenario can be imperative. If the fracture mechanical proof for the cask material shall be provided by a test, small deviations in the concentrated load applied can be decisive for the question if the cask fails or not.
The most damaging puncture bar length can be estimated by iterative procedure in numerical simulations. On the one hand, a sufficient puncture bar length shall guarantee that shock absorbers or other attachments do not prevent or reduce the local load application to the package, on the other hand, a longer and thus less stiff bar causes a smaller maximum contact force. The contrary influence of increasing puncture bar length and increasing effective drop height shall be taken into account if a shock absorber is directly placed in the target area. The paper presents a numerical approach to identify the bar length that causes maximum damage to the package. Using the example of two typical package masses the sensitivity of contact forces and puncture bar deformations to the initial length are calculated and assessed with regard to the international IAEA package safety requirements.
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is assessing the mechanical and thermal safety performance of packages for the transport of radioactive materials. Drop testing and numerical calculations are usually part of the safety case concepts, where BAM is performing the regulatory tests at their own test facility site.
Among other mechanical tests the 1 meter drop onto a steel puncture bar shall be considered for accident safe packages. According to the IAEA regulations “the bar shall be of solid mild steel of circular section, 15.0 ± 0.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long, unless a longer bar would cause greater damage…”.
Particularly with regard to the German transport- and storage cask designs, often made from ductile cast iron, an accurate determination of the puncture bar length to guarantee a load impact covering the worst case scenario can be imperative. If the fracture mechanical proof for the cask material shall be provided by a test, small deviations in the concentrated load applied can be decisive for the question if the cask fails or not.
The most damaging puncture bar length can be estimated by iterative procedure in numerical simulations. On the one hand, a sufficient puncture bar length shall guarantee that shock absorbers or other attachments do not prevent or reduce the local load application to the package, on the other hand, a longer and thus less stiff bar causes a smaller maximum contact force. The contrary influence of increasing puncture bar length and increasing effective drop height shall be taken into account if a shock absorber is directly placed in the target area. The paper presents a numerical approach to identify the bar length that causes maximum damage to the package. Using the example of two typical package masses the sensitivity of contact forces and puncture bar deformations to the initial length are calculated and assessed with regard to the international IAEA package safety requirements.
Due to their high versatility and recovery potential under several load conditions, seals made from elastomers are widely used as barrier seals in containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste and as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)). In DPC, elastomer seals allow leakage rate measurements of metal barrier seals for demonstration of their proper assembly conditions and performance.
For spent fuel and high level waste as well as for low and intermediate level waste, long time periods will be required before final disposal will be available. Therefore, the long-term behavior of elastomer seals can be an important issue when the cask’s suitability for an extended interim storage period has to be assessed.
During the licensed interim storage duration, the requested leakage rate has to be maintained under any static and dynamic load conditions. A sufficient resilience, the capability of seals to compensate a (rapid) partial release was identified as an important end-of-lifetime criterion.
In the framework of extensive aging and testing programs at BAM, specimen made from representative types of elastomer (EPDM, FKM) were aged for several years at different temperatures ranging from 23 °C to 150 °C. One aim of the experiments was to determine an end-of-lifetime criterion correlated to leakage as the point of seal failure. As the seals remained leak-tight under static conditions even after advanced material degradation, a more demanding leakage test set-up was constructed that allowed a rapid partial release of the seal. This device enables a release of the O-ring by approx. 0.2 mm from 25 % to 23 % compression in less than one second during the pressure rise measurement. If the resilience of the seal has decreased past a certain point, the seal cannot follow the decompression fast enough and a leak path can open. Using a finite element (FE) material model derived earlier from different material tests, this process was simulated with a 3D FE model, reproducing the essential characteristics of the test device.
The FE-model enables the analyzation of the occurring global mechanisms if a leak path opens. The capability of the seals to follow the lifted flange and the subsequent run of compression force depending on the current state of aging are illustrated. The findings of the simulation are correlated and discussed with respect to the pressure rise measurements.
Elastomer seals are used in many industrial applications due to their excellent mechanical properties at a wide range of temperatures. Their high versatility and recovery potential under several load conditions make them well suitable for the application in containers designed for transport, storage and/or disposal of radioactive materials. In containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, elastomer seals are used as barrier seals, and as auxiliary seals in storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks) for heat generating radioactive waste, such as spent fuel and high-level waste. While a seal exchange at defined intervals is typical in many conventional applications, it is impossible or at least hard to perform when principles of minimization of radiation exposure have to be considered and prohibit an unnecessary cask handling. An extensive knowledge of the change of the elastomer’s properties during aging and the availability of reliable end-of-lifetime criteria to guarantee the permanent safe enclosure of the radioactive material is mandatory. As BAM is involved in most of the national cask licensing procedures and in the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues, great efforts have been already made and are still planned to scientifically support this task.
Compression stress relaxation and compression set were identified as key indicators of elastomer long-term performance and quantitatively investigated in comprehensive test programs. Among other representative types of elastomers, specimens made from ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) were tested before, during and after aging to capture the most important of their complex mechanical properties.
In the presented study, exemplary results were used to simulate the compression stress relaxation and the compression set of elastomer O-rings during aging. Regarding the influence of temperature, the time-temperature superposition principle is applied in the relaxation analysis of elastomer O-rings. The proposed model is implemented in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS/Standard® [1] with a sequential temperature displacement coupling. Numerical results match the experimental compression stress relaxation measurements well. The prediction of compression set values after long-term aging shows a relatively good agreement with the experimental results. Nevertheless, all input parameters derived from the specimen tests, additional assumptions concerning boundary conditions and modeling strategy are discussed with regard to the identified slight discrepancies.
The possibility to extend the finite element model to represent the O-ring seal’s ability to recover after a (fast) partial release is taken into account.
Abgeleitet aus den in Teil 3 der „Systemanalyse Konrad“ definierten Lastannahmen für den „untertägigen Anlagenbereich“ müssen Verpackungen, die der Abfallbehälterklasse I (ABK I) mit dem zusätzlichen Merkmal der störfallfesten (sf) Verpackung oder der ABK II zugeordnet werden, gemäß den „Endlagerungsbedingungen, Endlager Konrad“, nach einem „…Fall aus 5 m Höhe auf eine unnachgiebige Unterlage…“ bestimmten Anforderungen genügen.
Eine nähere Beschreibung der Prüfeinrichtung sowie die Definition detaillierter Anforderungen an das Aufprallfundament erfolgen in der „Produktkontrolle, Endlager Konrad“: „Die Prüfeinrichtung, bestehend aus einer Hebeeinrichtung und einem Fundament ist so zu gestalten, dass der Fall des Prüfmusters in jeder beliebigen Aufprallorientierung aus 5 m Höhe, gemessen von der Unterkante des Prüfmusters zum Fundament, möglich ist. Das Fundament ist aus Beton der Mindestgüte B 35 herzustellen und muss so beschaffen und verankert sein, dass keine Zerstörung in zahlreiche kleinere Bruchstücke erfolgt und keine horizontale Verschiebung des Fundamentes oder seiner Teile auftritt. Maße und Masse des Fundaments müssen so beschaffen sein, dass der Einfluss des Baugrundes unter dem Fundament auf den Aufprallwiderstand vernachlässigbar ist.“
Im Rahmen der Bauartprüfung für Behälter zur Endlagerung radioaktiver Abfälle mit zu vernachlässigender Wärmeentwicklung im Endlager Konrad wird die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) von der Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) als Sachverständige hinzugezogen und ist in der Regel auch mit der Durchführung der notwendigen Fallprüfungen auf dem Testgelände Technische Sicherheit der BAM (BAM TTS) einschließlich der Bereitstellung der benötigten Prüfeinrichtungen sowie des regelkonformen Aufprallfundamentes beauftragt. Der Prozess, beginnend von der Gewährleistung einer von allen Beteiligten als gültig bewerteten Fallprüfung bis hin zur abschließenden Bewertung und Interpretation der Versuchsergebnisse erfordert dabei u.a. eine sorgfältige Planung und Fertigung der für das Endlager Konrad repräsentativen Fundamentplatte und deren Ankopplung an einen Untergrund im Sinne der „Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material“ wie er zum Beispiel auf den beiden Fallversuchsanlagen des BAM Testgelände Technische Sicherheit (BAM TTS) zur Verfügung steht.
Um diese Anforderungen zu erfüllen muss zum einen der Erhalt der Integrität der Fundamentplatte beim Fallversuch durch eine geeignete Auswahl und kraftflussgerechte Anordnung der Stabstahl-Bewehrung sowie deren Verankerung garantiert und damit eine unzulässige Energieaufnahme durch Risse sowie eine unzulässige „… Zerstörung (der Fundamentplatte) in zahlreiche kleinere Bruchstücke …“, wie in [3] gefordert, verhindert werden. Außerdem ist zu gewährleisten, dass der Beton die Anforderungen an die vorgeschriebene Mindestgüte bzw. -festigkeit zum Zeitpunkt der Fallprüfung erfüllt, die Betonfestigkeit jedoch zur Vermeidung unnötig verschärfter Prüfrandbedingungen eine zu definierende Obergrenze nicht überschreitet.
Ausgehend von dem 2009 im Rahmen der KONTEC veröffentlichten Wissensstand präsentiert die BAM im vorliegenden Beitrag die wesentlichen Ergebnisse der zwischenzeitlich bei der Planung und Durchführung von zahlreichen Fallprüfungen gewonnenen Erfahrungen bzgl. Spezifikation und Fertigung der für die Fallversuche notwendigen Fundamentplatten sowie deren Anbindung an den Untergrund. Neben den immer wieder notwendigen Anstrengungen zur Gewährleistung einer im Rahmen der Definition korrekten Betondruckfestigkeit am Tag der Fallprüfung wird die Anpassung der Bewehrungsführung an verschiedene Fallpositionen diskutiert.
Zur Ergänzung des gültigen Regelwerks entsteht parallel zu diesem Dokument eine Fachnotiz, in der BGE und BAM die Vorgaben und Spezifikationen zur regelwerkskonformen Herstellung und Montage von Fundamentplatten für Fallprüfungen im Rahmen der Behälterbauartprüfungsverfahren für das Endlager Konrad zusammenfassen und veröffentlichen werden. Diese Fachnotiz soll detaillierte Vorgaben und Spezifikationen zur Planung, Beauftragung, Herstellung und abschließenden Prüfung eines solchen Fundamentes und dessen Anbindung an den Untergrund enthalten. Damit soll allen beteiligten Organisationen wie Antragstellern, Sachverständigen und BGE ein langfristig verlässlicher Leitfaden im Hinblick auf die Durchführung anforderungsgerechter Fallprüfungen unter definierten und reproduzierbaren Randbedingungen im Rahmen der Bauartprüfungsverfahren für das Endlager Konrad an die Hand gegeben werden.
Abgeleitet aus den in Teil 3 der „Systemanalyse Konrad“ [1] definierten Lastannahmen für den „untertägigen Anlagenbereich“ müssen Verpackungen, die der Abfallbehälterklasse I (ABK I) mit dem zusätzlichen Merkmal der störfallfesten (sf) Verpackung oder der ABK II zugeordnet werden, gemäß den „Endlagerungsbedingungen, Endlager Konrad“ [2], nach einem „…Fall aus 5 m Höhe auf eine unnachgiebige Unterlage…“ bestimmten Anforderungen genügen.
Eine nähere Beschreibung der Prüfeinrichtung sowie die Definition detaillierter Anforderungen an das Aufprallfundament erfolgen in der „Produktkontrolle, Endlager Konrad“ [3]: „Die Prüfeinrichtung, bestehend aus einer Hebeeinrichtung und einem Fundament ist so zu gestalten, dass der Fall des Prüfmusters in jeder beliebigen Aufprallorientierung aus 5 m Höhe, gemessen von der Unterkante des Prüfmusters zum Fundament, möglich ist. Das Fundament ist aus Beton der Mindestgüte B 35 herzustellen und muss so beschaffen und verankert sein, dass keine Zerstörung in zahlreiche kleinere Bruchstücke erfolgt und keine horizontale Verschiebung des Fundamentes oder seiner Teile auftritt. Maße und Masse des Fundaments müssen so beschaffen sein, dass der Einfluss des Baugrundes unter dem Fundament auf den Aufprallwiderstand vernachlässigbar ist.“
Im Rahmen der Bauartprüfung für Behälter zur Endlagerung radioaktiver Abfälle mit zu vernachlässigender Wärmeentwicklung im Endlager Konrad wird die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) von der Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) als Sachverständige hinzugezogen und ist in der Regel auch mit der Durchführung der notwendigen Fallprüfungen auf dem Testgelände Technische Sicherheit der BAM (BAM TTS) einschließlich der Bereitstellung der benötigten Prüfeinrichtungen sowie des regelkonformen Aufprallfundamentes beauftragt. Der Prozess, beginnend von der Gewährleistung einer von allen Beteiligten als gültig bewerteten Fallprüfung bis hin zur abschließenden Bewertung und Interpretation der Versuchsergebnisse erfordert dabei u.a. eine sorgfältige Planung und Fertigung der für das Endlager Konrad repräsentativen Fundamentplatte und deren Ankopplung an einen Untergrund im Sinne der „Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material“ [4], [5] wie er zum Beispiel auf den beiden Fallversuchsanlagen des BAM Testgelände Technische Sicherheit (BAM TTS) zur Verfügung steht.
Um diese Anforderungen zu erfüllen muss zum einen der Erhalt der Integrität der Fundamentplatte beim Fallversuch durch eine geeignete Auswahl und kraftflussgerechte Anordnung der Stabstahl-Bewehrung sowie deren Verankerung garantiert und damit eine unzulässige Energieaufnahme durch Risse sowie eine unzulässige „… Zerstörung (der Fundamentplatte) in zahlreiche kleinere Bruchstücke …“, wie in [3] gefordert, verhindert werden. Außerdem ist zu gewährleisten, dass der Beton die Anforderungen an die vorgeschriebene Mindestgüte bzw. -festigkeit zum Zeitpunkt der Fallprüfung erfüllt, die Betonfestigkeit jedoch zur Vermeidung unnötig verschärfter Prüfrandbedingungen eine zu definierende Obergrenze nicht überschreitet.
Ausgehend von dem 2009 im Rahmen der KONTEC veröffentlichten Wissensstand [6] präsentiert die BAM im vorliegenden Beitrag die wesentlichen Ergebnisse der zwischenzeitlich bei der Planung und Durchführung von zahlreichen Fallprüfungen gewonnenen Erfahrungen bzgl. Spezifikation und Fertigung der für die Fallversuche notwendigen Fundamentplatten sowie deren Anbindung an den Untergrund. Neben den immer wieder notwendigen Anstrengungen zur Gewährleistung einer im Rahmen der Definition korrekten Betondruckfestigkeit am Tag der Fallprüfung wird die Anpassung der Bewehrungsführung an verschiedene Fallpositionen diskutiert.
Zur Ergänzung des gültigen Regelwerks entsteht parallel zu diesem Dokument eine Fachnotiz, in der BGE und BAM die Vorgaben und Spezifikationen zur regelwerkskonformen Herstellung und Montage von Fundamentplatten für Fallprüfungen im Rahmen der Behälterbauartprüfungsverfahren für das Endlager Konrad zusammenfassen und veröffentlichen werden. Diese Fachnotiz soll detaillierte Vorgaben und Spezifikationen zur Planung, Beauftragung, Herstellung und abschließenden Prüfung eines solchen Fundamentes und dessen Anbindung an den Untergrund enthalten. Damit soll allen beteiligten Organisationen wie Antragstellern, Sachverständigen und BGE ein langfristig verlässlicher Leitfaden im Hinblick auf die Durchführung anforderungsgerechter Fallprüfungen unter definierten und reproduzierbaren Randbedingungen im Rahmen der Bauartprüfungsverfahren für das Endlager Konrad an die Hand gegeben werden.
Numerical approach to determine the correct puncture bar length for the IAEA puncture bar drop test
(2018)
Among other mechanical tests the 1 meter drop onto a steel puncture bar shall be considered for accident safe packages for the transport of radioactive material. According with the IAEA regulations “the bar shall be of solid mild steel of circular section, 15.0 ± 0.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long, unless a longer bar would cause greater damage…”. The most damaging puncture bar length can be estimated by iterative processes in numerical simulations. On the one hand, a sufficient puncture bar length has to guarantee that shock absorbers or other attachments do not prevent or reduce the local load application to the package, on the other hand, a longer and thus less stiff bar causes a smaller maximum contact force. The contrary influence of increasing puncture bar length and increasing effective drop height shall be taken into account if a shock absorber is directly placed in the target area. The paper presents a numerical approach to identify the bar length that causes maximum damage to the package. Using the example of two typical package masses the sensitivity of contact forces and puncture bar deformations to the initial length are calculated and assessed with regard to the international IAEA package safety requirements.
The excellent mechanical properties of elastomer seals at a wide range of temperatures as well as their high versatility and recovery potential under several load conditions make these materials well suitable for the application in containers designed for transport and disposal of negligible heat generating radioactive waste. While a seal exchange at defined intervals is typical in many conventional applications, it is impossible or at least hard to perform when principles of minimization of radiation exposure have to be considered which prohibit an avoidable cask handling. An extensive knowledge of the change of the elastomer properties during aging and the availability of reliable end-of-lifetime criteria to guarantee the safe enclosure of the radioactive material for the required time are mandatory. As BAM is involved in most of the national cask licensing procedures and in the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues, great efforts have already been made and are still ongoing to scientifically support this task.
Among other representative types of elastomers, specimen made from ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) were tested before, during and after aging to capture the with respect to application most important of their complex mechanical properties.
Exemplary results of these investigations were used to calibrate material models implemented in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS/Standard®. The finite element model already presented in previous works uses a sequential temperature displacement coupling. The calculated compression stress relaxation (CSR) and compression set (CS) values do satisfactorily match the experimental results.
In many investigations performed at BAM both values (CSR and CS) were identified as key indicators of elastomer’s long-term performance.
However, the possibility to correlate these equivalent indicators with performance values such as tightness and leakage rate, measurable in the mounted state, is an important goal of our future work. In the presented study the ABAQUS® feature of “pressure penetration” is introduced in the suggested finite element model for this purpose. It provides the possibility to simulate the penetration of a gas into a possible gap between flange and O-ring causing an opening of a leakage path. Three dimensional and axis-symmetric finite element models were generated to represent flat and grooved flanges of different dimensions.
The sensitivity of the feature to several input parameters is investigated and the observed behavior of the O-ring is correlated with the results of performed leakage tests.
The excellent mechanical properties of elastomer seals at a wide range of temperatures as well as their high versatility and recovery potential under several load conditions make these materials well suitable for the application in containers designed for transport and disposal of negligible heat generating radioactive waste. While a seal exchange at defined intervals is typical in many conventional applications, it is impossible or at least hard to perform when principles of minimization of radiation exposure have to be considered which prohibit an avoidable cask handling. An extensive knowledge of the change of the elastomer properties during aging and the availability of reliable end-of-lifetime criteria to guarantee the safe enclosure of the radioactive material for the required time are mandatory. As BAM is involved in most of the national cask licensing procedures and in the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues, great efforts have already been made and are still ongoing to scientifically support this task.
Among other representative types of elastomers, specimen made from ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) were tested before, during and after aging to capture the with respect to application most important of their complex mechanical properties.
Exemplary results of these investigations were used to calibrate material models implemented in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS/Standard®. The finite element model already presented in previous works uses a sequential temperature displacement coupling. The calculated compression stress relaxation (CSR) and compression set (CS) values do satisfactorily match the experimental results.
In many investigations performed at BAM both values (CSR and CS) were identified as key indicators of elastomer’s long-term performance.
However, the possibility to correlate these equivalent indicators with performance values such as tightness and leakage rate, measurable in the mounted state, is an important goal of our future work. In the presented study the ABAQUS® feature of “pressure penetration” is introduced in the suggested finite element model for this purpose. It provides the possibility to simulate the penetration of a gas into a possible gap between flange and O-ring causing an opening of a leakage path. Three dimensional and axis-symmetric finite element models were generated to represent flat and grooved flanges of different dimensions.
The sensitivity of the feature to several input parameters is investigated and the observed behavior of the O-ring is correlated with the results of performed leakage tests.
It is common practice in the application of finite element analysis to model compression set (CS) of elastomers during aging with two different material models according to the two-network theory of Tobolsky. The theory relies on the existence of two networks. The first one represents the original network after vulcanization and is sensitive to chain scission. The second network accounts for the formation of additional crosslinking during aging. Besides the use of user subroutines to describe the two-network model, an element overlay technique is also needed as the full set of both material behaviors did not exist for assignment to a single element. This element overlay technique is valuable for research and developmental purposes but makes extension to industrial usage quite challenging. Our goal is to simulate the CS of elastomers after long-term aging in a commercial finite element software with no need for extra subroutine codes or mesh superposition.
Ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) O-rings were aged in a compressed state at 75 °C, 100 °C, 125 °C and 150 °C for up to 183 days. Investigations of the experimental test results were used to identify material models and their parameters to develop a finite element model to simulate CS. The model was implemented in the finite element software ABAQUS/Standard® with a sequential temperature-displacement coupling.
Regarding the influence of temperature, the Arrhenius equation is adopted for the time-temperature relationship. The activation energy value that is required for the simulation is firstly determined from shifting the experimental CS results with the time-temperature superposition technique and plotting the shift factors in an Arrhenius diagram. The experiments were compared with the simulation results. Afterwards different activation energies were used in the simulation and discussed. A suitable choice of the activation energy value with regard to the reference temperature and the test temperature is presented. With the chosen activation energies, the match between numerical CS values after long-term aging and the experimental results was improved.
Elastomer seals are mounted as barrier seals in lid systems of containers designed for transport and disposal of negligible heat generating radioactive waste and as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)). When the behavior of mounted seals under normal and hypothetical accident conditions of disposal and transport is to be simulated, a comprehensive knowledge of their complex mechanical properties at every state of aging is necessary. In previous works, BAM’s efforts in experimental investigations on specimen artificially aged at different temperatures and times and the implementation of the found results in finite element material models were presented. Additionally, our approaches to reproduce the aging process itself and to extrapolate the results of artificially accelerated aging to longer times were presented. Numerical simulations have shown that the behavior of the seal during mounting and one-sided pressurizing and the resulting performance values such as leakage rate strongly depend on the coefficient of friction (COF) between flange and seal. The friction coefficient, in turn, depends on the aging state of the elastomer material as several publications suggest (see below).
Dynamic COF between an exemplary ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) material and a stainless steel ball were determined by using a self-designed linear oscillation tribometer. Unaged and artificially aged EPDM specimen stored for 30 days and 100 days at a temperature of 150 °C were tested. A stainless steel ball (d=10 mm) is brought in contact with the specimen’s surface und loaded by normal forces of 2.5 N, 5 N, 10 N and 20 N. During a reciprocating movement of the EPDM sheet, the horizontal force/friction force is continuously measured, and the COF can be derived.
It is well known that friction is a complex phenomenon especially in soft materials. It cannot be excluded that the measured friction force is influenced by additional force components, resulting from the ball’s grooving through the elastomer’s surface. This force depends on the penetration depth of the ball and on the resistance of the elastomer in its different states of aging. The latter results from microstructural changes i.e., chain scission and additional crosslinking that occur during aging which in turn influence the softening or hardening of the material.
A finite element (FE) ABAQUS® model was developed to reproduce the measurement process. It should help to better understand the physical mechanisms and to quantify the percentage of measured forces resulting from real friction on the one hand and forces resulting from unintended side effects that could falsify the result on the other hand. The behavior of the elastomer in its different states of aging is reproduced by a FE material model already presented in previous works of BAM.
Elastomer seals are mounted as barrier seals in lid systems of containers designed for transport and disposal of negligible heat generating radioactive waste and as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)). When the behavior of mounted seals under normal and hypothetical accident conditions of disposal and transport is to be simulated, a comprehensive knowledge of their complex mechanical properties at every state of aging is necessary. In previous works, BAM’s efforts in experimental investigations on specimen artificially aged at different temperatures and times and the implementation of the found results in finite element material models were presented. Additionally, our approaches to reproduce the aging process itself and to extrapolate the results of artificially accelerated aging to longer times were presented. Numerical simulations have shown that the behavior of the seal during mounting and one-sided pressurizing and the resulting performance values such as leakage rate strongly depend on the coefficient of friction (COF) between flange and seal. The friction coefficient, in turn, depends on the aging state of the elastomer material as several publications suggest (see below).
Dynamic COF between an exemplary ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) material and a stainless steel ball were determined by using a self-designed linear oscillation tribometer. Unaged and artificially aged EPDM specimen stored for 30 days and 100 days at a temperature of 150 °C were tested. A stainless steel ball (d=10 mm) is brought in contact with the specimen’s surface und loaded by normal forces of 2.5 N, 5 N, 10 N and 20 N. During a reciprocating movement of the EPDM sheet, the horizontal force/friction force is continuously measured, and the COF can be derived.
It is well known that friction is a complex phenomenon especially in soft materials. It cannot be excluded that the measured friction force is influenced by additional force components, resulting from the ball’s grooving through the elastomer’s surface. This force depends on the penetration depth of the ball and on the resistance of the elastomer in its different states of aging. The latter results from microstructural changes i.e., chain scission and additional crosslinking that occur during aging which in turn influence the softening or hardening of the material.
A finite element (FE) ABAQUS® model was developed to reproduce the measurement process. It should help to better understand the physical mechanisms and to quantify the percentage of measured forces resulting from real friction on the one hand and forces resulting from unintended side effects that could falsify the result on the other hand. The behavior of the elastomer in its different states of aging is reproduced by a FE material model already presented in previous works of BAM.
Beginning in 1976 the former iron ore mine Konrad was geologically investigated concerning its suitability as a location for a German final repository for low and intermediate level waste. After a comprehensive licensing procedure it was approved and is now being prepared and equipped for the planned start of storage in 2027. At the end of the 1980s, the requirements for waste containers for storage in this repository were defined for the first time on the basis of an incident analysis of the on-site handling procedures, beginning with the unloading of the packages after the arrival at the site up to the final positioning in the underground storage galleries. A 5-meter drop onto the rock ground of the mine was identified as the covering case for high mechanical requirements (ABK II container class). In contrast to the 9-meter drop according to the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, the 5-meter drop is performed onto a hard but not essentially unyielding target. The container is typically not protected by an impact limiter. The requirements for a potential test facility are described in the regulations for the Konrad repository. The mechanical strength of the target is defined as a concrete strength equivalent to the identified properties of the rock ground of the mine.
Since 1991 BAM has consistently used precast reinforced concrete slabs as target for drop tests in the framework of licensing procedures as well as in research projects. While the original design fulfilled the requirement for the integrity of the concrete slab in most cases, it failed when drop tests onto an edge of a container were performed. A redesigned concrete slab developed in a research project and suggested as a reference target in 2009 has been successfully used in Konrad licensing procedures since then.
The paper gives a brief overview of the historical development and it describes BAM’s efforts and approaches to continuously guarantee a concrete slab of defined quality and to provide a test setup for valid drop tests from the applicants and the authorities view.
Beginning in 1976 the former iron ore mine Konrad was geologically investigated concerning its suitability as a location for a German final repository for low and intermediate level waste. After a comprehensive licensing procedure it was approved and is now being prepared and equipped for the planned start of storage in 2027. At the end of the 1980s, the requirements for waste containers for storage in this repository were defined for the first time on the basis of an incident analysis of the on-site handling procedures, beginning with the unloading of the packages after the arrival at the site up to the final positioning in the underground storage galleries. A 5-meter drop onto the rock ground of the mine was identified as the covering case for high mechanical requirements (ABK II container class). In contrast to the 9-meter drop according to the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, the 5-meter drop is performed onto a hard but not essentially unyielding target. The container is typically not protected by an impact limiter. The requirements for a potential test facility are described in the regulations for the Konrad repository. The mechanical strength of the target is defined as a concrete strength equivalent to the identified properties of the rock ground of the mine.
Since 1991 BAM has consistently used precast reinforced concrete slabs as target for drop tests in the framework of licensing procedures as well as in research projects. While the original design fulfilled the requirement for the integrity of the concrete slab in most cases, it failed when drop tests onto an edge of a container were performed. A redesigned concrete slab developed in a research project and suggested as a reference target in 2009 has been successfully used in Konrad licensing procedures since then.
The paper gives a brief overview of the historical development and it describes BAM’s efforts and approaches to continuously guarantee a concrete slab of defined quality and to provide a test setup for valid drop tests from the applicants and the authorities view.
Beginning in 1976 the former iron ore mine Konrad was geologically investigated concerning its suitability as a location for a German final repository for low and intermediate level waste. After a comprehensive licensing procedure it was approved and is now being prepared and equipped for the planned start of storage in 2027. At the end of the 1980s, the requirements for waste containers for storage in this repository were defined for the first time on the basis of an incident analysis of the on-site handling procedures, beginning with the unloading of the packages after the arrival at the site up to the final positioning in the underground storage galleries. A 5-meter drop onto the rock ground of the mine was identified as the covering case for high mechanical requirements (ABK II container class). In contrast to the 9-meter drop according to the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, the 5-meter drop is performed onto a hard but not essentially unyielding target. The container is typically not protected by an impact limiter. The requirements for a potential test facility are described in the regulations for the Konrad repository. The mechanical strength of the target is defined as a concrete strength equivalent to the identified properties of the rock ground of the mine.
Since 1991 BAM has consistently used precast reinforced concrete slabs as target for drop tests in the framework of licensing procedures as well as in research projects. While the original design fulfilled the requirement for the integrity of the concrete slab in most cases, it failed when drop tests onto an edge of a container were performed. A redesigned concrete slab developed in a research project and suggested as a reference target in 2009 has been successfully used in Konrad licensing procedures since then.
The paper gives a brief overview of the historical development and it describes BAM’s efforts and approaches to continuously guarantee a concrete slab of defined quality and to provide a test setup for valid drop tests from the applicants and the authorities view.
In 2007 the license for the German Konrad repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste was finally confirmed. Since then, the site is improved, prepared and equipped for the currently planned start of waste package emplacement in 2029. Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung is regularly contracted by the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung as the responsible authority for waste product control, waste container design testing, and waste package acceptance. In this context BAM is mainly responsible for design testing of various container types including the evaluation of quality assurance measures for container manufacturing.
In addition to general requirements concerning container design, the casks have to withstand specific mechanical load scenarios. Drop tests from different heights under consideration of the most damaging drop orientation and a stacking test are two examples for necessary safety demonstrations.
If the containers are made from concrete the reinforcement has the function to absorb tensile forces the concrete is not able to withstand by its own. Because of manufacturing imperfections of cylindrical concrete containers manufactured already decades ago, the reinforcement cages are not always exactly, asymmetrically positioned when they were poured. This inspired BAM to perform various ABAQUS® finite-element (FE) simulations by using the example of a simplified cylindrical container design with generic dimensions. On the basis of the calculated tensile and compressive stress distributions suggestions are derived on how a cylindrical concrete container with an imperfectly placed reinforcement cage has to be oriented for a drop or stacking test to ensure the most damaging test scenario.