A method for evaluating structural transducers used in Type B package testing

As a result of an agreement between DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), each transport cask must be certified by the NRC. To meet these requirements, OCRWM is undertaking a program to design, test, certify, and fabricate a variety of cask systems. Design verification tests will be performed by the cask contractor to demonstrate design safety and to aid in cask certification by the NRC. During Type B packaging design verification testing designers may verify analytical calculations with instrumentation data. Many packagings are tested with accelerometers and strain gages, collectively known as transducers, that measure structural response. Accelerometers measure acceleration and strain gages measure surface strain at the mounted location. This paper describes a method developed for OCRWM to evaluate various transducers of these two types that have been suggested for use in design verification testing. Typically transducers are characterized by the manufacturer under laboratory conditions. In this program ruggedness, failure frequency, repeatability, and manufacturer's data under field and laboratory conditions were investigated. Specific cask model test require transducers with specific ranges; transducers of the selected types were procured with ranges appropriate for this test. 3 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.