Acceleration measurement campaign on CEA type-B packages

The mechanical studies for type-A and type-B packages are focused in part on the tie-down system (in application of Art. 607, 613 and 638 of IAEA SSR-6 2012 edition). More specifically, stresses in the attachment points and tie-down members are analysed with respect to either the maximum inertial forces (routine conditions of transport (RCT) or normal conditions of transport (NCT)), or the cyclic loads (RCT).Appendix IV of IAEA Advisory Material No. SSG-26 indicates the package acceleration factors to be considered when checking the attachment points. These maximal values are not given for the purpose of a fatigue analysis. Other sources of acceleration input are available from the public or private field (e.g. NF EN 12195 standard, 1989 PATRAM paper by AREVA TN on NTL flasks, 2013 PATRAM poster by the CEA on CADM casks, etc.). These values are currently the subject of an IAEA international working group.In this context and further to some questions on fatigue, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is implementing a new acceleration measurement campaign on some of its own type-B packages. This is the case for the LR144 design which is a 20-tonne upright cylindrical-shaped package with four anchor points on the upside with a specific frame.The acceleration components are being monitored over time. The maximum accelerations and the number of cycles are calculated afterwards, which allows us to use several signal processing methods. This paper describes the methodology chosen for this campaign: the measuring system (sensors, signal conditioning, recording), the set-up, and the analysis. It also discusses the most relevant results for different road conditions and specific events.