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Title: Development of fast-running thermal and structural response models for probabilistic analysis of complex systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10103313

This paper describes two fast-running physical response algorithms, which were developed for the analysis of nuclear detonation pathways in nuclear weapons systems exposed to fires and crashes but which can be used for other applications such as probabilistic structural analyses of civil systems exposed to dynamic loadings and the dynamic analyses of nuclear reactors exposed to external events. The first is embodied in a computer code called Thermal Evaluation and Matching Program for Risk Applications (TEMPRA-3D). The second is contained in a computer code entitled Spring-mass Transient Response Evaluation for Structural Systems (STRESS-3D). TEMPRA-3D is a lumped-capacitance thermal analysis code that is extremely fast running and unconditionally stable. It contains fully integrated numerical models for many phenomena of interest in the evaluation of system responses, including thermal conduction, thermal radiation, thermal convection, chemical reactions, and material decomposition. The code is capable of calculating the timing of important events, such as component failures or the ignition of explosives. If uncertainty distributions are provided, it computes pairwise probabilities. STRESS-3D is a dynamical structural analysis code that models a system as a connection of masses and nonlinear springs. The principal functions of STRESS-3D are to calculate the dynamic responses to various types of impacts, focusing upon the stresses and strains in shell-like structures and the mean accelerations and displacements of solid components. Some of the key features of the code are: (1) explicit integration of Newton`s law of motion for each mass; (2) spring forces evaluated form constitutive relationships and appropriate areas; (3) characterization of strain-hardening in inelastic materials and compressive load-bearing capability of foam materials; and (4) innovative modeling of shells.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
10103313
Report Number(s):
SAND-93-1235C; CONF-940312-27; ON: DE94001826; BR: GB0103012
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. Probabilistic safety assessment and management conference (PSAM),San Diego, CA (United States),20-24 Mar 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English