Structural Integrity of the TUK-27/1 Packaging System in Simulated Transportation Accidents Involving Uranium Hexafluoride Traps

Abstract

we assessed the structural integrity and leak tightness of a new protective case for uranium hexafluoride traps used in the TUK-27/1 transport package under dynamic loads simulating the accident conditions specified for Type B packages by NP-053-16. The study forms part of the overall safety assessment of the TUK-27/1 for transporting uranium hexafluoride traps. Results from full-scale tests of the TUK-27 transport package conducted by an interdepartmental commission were used as a basis for assessing the structural integrity of the new protective case. We performed a stress-strain analysis of its metal frame by solving the equations of continuum mechanics in Lagrangian coordinates. The equations were integrated using an explicit time-stepping finite-element method implemented in the certified ANSYS LS-DYNA software package. The physical and mechanical properties of the case materials were conservatively taken from PNAE G-7-002-86. The material models used a bilinear approximation of the stress-strain curves for the respective metals. The calculations demonstrated that the new protective cases retain their structural integrity and safety under the specified accident loads during transport of the TUK-27/1 transport package in accordance with the applicable Russian regulations.