Evaluation of potential modifications to the SEER (Simplified Estimation of Exposure to Radiation) fallout code. Technical report, 1 August 1982-1 August 1983

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5693075

Edwards, R C

This report presents the methodology and results of an attempt to modify and improve the computer code SEER (Simplified Estimation of Exposure to Radiation). SEER, part of the large nuclear weapon damage-assessment code CIVIC, was developed in the early 1970s with the intent that it simulate the fallout exposure-rate contours of DELFIC (Defense Land Fallout Interpretive code) while using a minimal amount of computer time. A problem that surfaced with the development of SEER was the fact that the SEER methodology leads to an overprediction of the total activity deposited on the ground. In order to compensate for this characteristic, SAI has lowered the value of the K-factor in the SEER portion of CIVIC to approximately half of the original value. The K-factor is the amount of weapon fallout activity per unit yield, distributed over unit area. Its value is not precisely known, in part because the percentage of total radioactive debris that constitutes early fallout (as opposed to that which is lofted to high altitudes and carried off beyond local fallout distances) is not well known and varies with height of burst and other conditions. This work effort investigated the possibility of modifying the SEER methodology so that activity is conserved and a good approximation to DELFIC results could be obtained without resort to the adjustment of the K-factor.

• Research Organization: Science Applications International Corp., McLean, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5693075
• Report Number(s): AD-A-166103/2/XAB; SAI-83/1176
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202* -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DOSES
EXPLOSIONS
FALLOUT
FORECASTING
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SIMULATION