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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Testing the half-scale model of the defense high level waste transportation cask

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5999891

Large quantities of defense high level waste (DHLW) produced at reprocessing sites of the US Department of Energy (DOE) exist at various locations across the country. In response to the need for a safe and efficient transportation system for this waste, a program was initiated by DOE at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in 1979 to design, test, and certify a Type B shipping system. This report presents the results of the testing of the half-scale model of this single containment design. The testing, conducted at Sandia National Laboratories' Coyote Test Facility, included 9 m (30 ft) drop tests and 1 m (40 in.) puncture tests as defined in Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 71. The orientations for the drop tests were: bottom end, closure end (performed at -29/sup 0/C (-20/sup 0/F)), side no. 1, center of gravity over bottom corner, and side no. 2. The puncture tests were conducted at two orientations on the cask closure. All instrumentation and dimensional measurement values documented in this report are for the half-scale model. The instrumentation devices used to evaluate the structural response of the cask included accelerometers, strain gages, strain-gaged closure bolts, and linear variable differential transformers. Nondestructive examinations included: leakage testing of the cask closure seals, cavity gas sample port welds, and cask body welds; radiographs of the cask body weldments and depleted uranium shield liner; and dimensional inspections of all components and assemblies. Report contains test data on microfiche. 3 refs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Southwest Engineering Associates, El Paso, TX (USA); Geo-Centers, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5999891
Report Number(s):
SAND-86-1130; TTC-0662; ON: DE87014321
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English