PNNL

Abstract

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is working on modeling the shock and vibration environment of used nuclear fuel (UNF) under normal conditions of transport for the Department of Energy (DOE). A cask and cradle system, loaded with surrogate fuel assemblies, experienced several different modes of transportation. During transport, strains and accelerations were recorded at various places in the cask and cradle system. These measurements were then analyzed and used to characterize the shock and vibration environment for future use in modeling normal conditions of transport. Overall, the strains that the fuel rods in the surrogate fuel assemblies experienced were low; however, the characterization of the shock and vibration environment provided valuable information for further modeling and analysis.