Application of generic risk assessment software to radioactive waste disposal

Abstract

Monte Carlo methods are used in a variety of applications such as risk assessment, probabilistic safety assessment and reliability analysis. While Monte Carlo methods are simple to use, their application can be laborious. A new microcomputer software package has been developed that substantially reduces the effort required to conduct Monte Carlo analyses. The Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis Shell (SUNS) is a software shell in the sense that a wide variety of application models can be incorporated into it. SUNS offers several useful features including a menu-driven environment, a flexible input editor, both Monte Carlo and Latin Hypercube sampling, the ability to perform both repeated trials and parametric studies in a single run, and both statistical and graphical output. SUNS also performs all required file management functions.