STATE-OF-THE-ART ASSESSMENT OF PACKAGE DESIGN SAFETY ANALYSES

The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is one of the two German competent authorities responsible for the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) assessment in conformity to the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (TS-R-1) [2] with respect to the mechanical and thermal safety analysis, the safe containment of the radioactive material and the quality assurance program during manufacturing, operation and maintenance. The methodology in the field of safety analysis including associated assessment criteria and procedures has evolved rapidly since implementing the new regulations [2]. New aspects relating to analysis and assessment methodologies are summarized in this paper. All relevant chemical, physical and technical properties of the materials used are assessed in detail in relation to clear and comprehensible documentation with respect to the qualification. BAM requires without exception, clear and detailed descriptions of the concepts and the aims for the primary mechanical and thermal demonstrations. The consequences of the safety concept choice on the package design safety analysis must be clear at the beginning of the type testing. The concept significantly influences the depth of an experimental or calculation proof. All relevant boundary conditions with respect to TS-R-1 [2] must be taken into account, e.g. the assessment of stresses, strains and fracture mechanical considerations from -40°C until maximum operational and thermal accident temperature. In the containment analysis, BAM requires detailed and comprehensive qualification of seals as well as a calculation of an activity release based on well specified release values, depending on the radioactive contents. Concerning quality assurance, a fully aligned program for manufacturing, assembling, operation and maintenance is necessary to get the compliance control with the SAR before starting any manufacturing process.