Critical Stresses in Nuclear Waste Container Under Normal Handling Conditions

by Samaan G. Ladkany, Univ of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States,
Ping Gan, Univ of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States,
Rajkumar Rajagopalan, Univ of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

Critical stresses in the pintle, flat tophead, canister shell, the bottom plate and in the weldment of a high level nuclear waste canister are evaluated under a variety of static and dynamic loading conditions resulting from normal handling. The canister is 0.0095m (0.375 in) thick, 0.7m (28 in) in diameter and 4.2m (165 in) long. Finite element analysis is used in the stress evaluation. Two dimensional axisymmetric elements, 3-D brick elements, two node axisymmetric shell elements and four node thin shell elements are used in modeling the weldment, tophead, pintle, bottom plate and the canister shell. Results obtained from the various types of analysis and finite element models, compare favorably within the limitation and applicability of each element type. Results were also checked against exact theory at some locations in the canister for which an exact theoretical analysis is possible. Results show that this container is not adequate to handle stresses resulting from accidental drops and slippage during lifting and handling.

Subject Headings: Finite element method | Radioactive wastes | Stress analysis | Waste storage | Hazardous substances | Computer aided design | Welding

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