Licensing of a Type B(M)F Radioactive Material Transportation Package by Finite Element Analysis

The approval of nuclear transport packages requires the demonstration of performance against the regulatory tests. This has typically required a significant amount of physical testing with the concomitant time and cost implications. The capability of the analysis techniques used in the industry in the substantiation of package designs has advanced significantly in the last few years to the point where it has become conceivable that little or no physical testing could be required in the assessment of a transport package against the regulatory tests.A paper presented by Rolls-Royce at PATRAM2007 described the use of Finite Element Analysis code in the licensing of a new package for the transport of new nuclear fuel. The paper concluded that explicit analysis codes were so reliable for package impact calculations that minimal test work could be pursued, limited to key confirmatory impact scenarios.This paper describes the approach taken in successfully gaining design approval for a Type B(M)F package without the need for any physical testing other than simple characterisation studies. It discusses the regulatory background giving the confidence to pursue this analysis only approach. It then shows the steps taken within the organisation and in engaging with the Competent Authority in demonstrating compliance entirely in the FE environment. © 2018 Rolls-Royce