Session: DA-04-01 Inelastic, Nonlinear, and Limit Load Analysis

Paper Number: 155686

155686 - Evaluating the Impact of Wood Proportions of the Performance of Dry Storage Containers Impact Limiters 

Abstract: 

Ensuring the safety and structural integrity of dry storage containers (DSCs) during the transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is paramount, especially under accidental drop conditions. In such scenarios, impact limiters, typically constructed from redwood and balsa wood, are critical in absorbing impact energy to protect the DSC. Although these materials are commonly used, there remains an opportunity to optimize their composition for enhanced impact-absorption performance. This research investigates the effect of varying redwood and balsa wood ratios on the performance of impact limiters in DSCs under multiple accident scenarios, specifically vertical, oblique, and horizontal drops. Using finite element analysis (FEA), we assessed the structural response of the DSC to evaluate the safety implications of different wood compositions. The findings reveal that optimizing the ratio of redwood to balsa wood can significantly enhance the safety of DSCs by effectively reducing impact forces transferred to the cask and canister. Configurations with a higher proportion of balsa wood demonstrated superior shock absorption, minimizing transmitted stresses and potential structural damage. Furthermore, stress-based evaluations, adhering to ASME BPVC Sec. III Div. 3 standards, confirmed the robustness of these optimized configurations, underscoring their suitability for various drop scenarios, thereby advancing the safety measures in SNF management.

Presenting Author: Hyungyu Roh Yonsei University

Presenting Author Biography: Hyungyu Roh received B.S., and M.S. degress from Ajou University in 2015 and 2018. He is currently majoring in structural vibration in Yonsei University. He is especially interested in shock and vibration.

Authors:

Hyungyu Roh Yonsei University
No-Cheol Park Yonsei University
Chiwoong Ra Yonsei University