Testing vs Finite Element analysis What should the balance be?

To assist in the licensing of nuclear transport packages the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and indeed many other forms of simulation has increased dramatically over the past years. The amount of physical testing has similarly reduced. With more and more FEA and less and less physical testing taking place, where is the correct balance that provides sufficient confidence to the regulatory bodies and where should the focus be?FEA is now capable of providing very precise results in the hands of suitably qualified and experienced people, however the accuracy can only be determined by comparison with physical test results. Should the testing be limited to component testing where there are fewer unknowns and fewer variables, such as simulating tensile tests or simple crush tests or should testing only take place on the final package?This paper presents both ends of the arguments indicating the pit falls and benefits of both extremes and seeks to find a happy medium without significant safety or cost implications.