Design Of Containment Structures Research Articles

Eddy Current Effects in the Laminated Containment Structure of Railguns

The propulsive force in a railgun is reduced by eddy currents induced in the conductive containment structure. Here, we examine how a simple railgun's inductance gradient, which is directly proportional to the propulsive force, depends on containment structure geometry and armature motion. Numerical simulations were used for the sensitivity study as well as to understand eddy-current distribution and consequent effects under various kinematic conditions. Such characterization will aid in judicious design of containment structure

Practical aspects of numerical simulations of dynamic events: effects of meshing

The use of finite-difference and finite-element computer codes to solve problems involving fast, transient loading is commonplace. A large number of commercial codes exist and are applied to problems ranging from fairly low to extremely high damage levels (e.g., design of containment structures to mitigate effects of industrial accidents; protection of buildings and people from blast and impact loading; foreign object impact damage; and design of space structures to withstand impacts of small particles moving at hypervelocity, a case where the pressures generated exceed material strength by an order of magnitude). But, what happens if code predictions do not correspond with reality? This paper discusses various factors related to the computational mesh that can lead to disagreement between computations and experience. Subsequent papers focus on problems associated with contact surfaces and material transport algorithms, constitutive models, and the use of material data at strain rates appropriate to the problem. It is limited to problems involving fast, transient loading, which can be addressed by commercial finite-difference and finite-element computer codes.

Practical aspects of numerical simulation of dynamic events: material interfaces

The use of finite-difference and finite-element computer codes to solve problems involving fast, transient loading is commonplace. A large number of commercial codes exist and are applied to problems ranging from fairly low to extremely high damage levels (e.g. design of containment structures to mitigate effects of industrial accidents; protection of buildings and people from blast and impact loading; foreign object impact damage; design of space structures to withstand impacts of small particles moving at hypervelocity, a case where pressures generated exceed the material strength by an order of magnitude). But, what happens if code predictions do not correspond with reality? This paper discusses various factors related to material interfaces in Lagrangian and Eulerian shock-wave-propagation codes (hydrocodes), which can lead to disagreement between computations and experience. Companion papers focus on problems associated with meshing and constitutive models and the use of material data at strain rates inappropriate to the problem. This paper is limited to problems involving fast, transient loading, which can be addressed by commercial finite-difference and finite-element codes.

Erosional stability of rehabilitated uranium mine structures incorporating natural landform characteristics, northern tropical Australia

Australian Government guidelines specify that tailings containment structures at rehabilitated uranium mines in the Alligator Rivers Region of tropical northern Australia should have an engineered structural life of 1000 years. As part of the containment structure design process, erosion plots incorporating both regional geomorphological characteristics (concave hillslope profiles and a weathering-resistant rock cover of schist) and more conventional engineering design parameters (straight slopes and mine waste rock) were constructed at the Ranger Uranium Mine. The plots were monitored for storm runoff, and concentrations of solutes, suspended solids and selected ions over successive wet seasons. The concave slopes (the hillslope analogues) had lower peak discharges and lower concentrations of suspended solids than the straight slopes. However, solute concentrations in runoff from the schist covered (hillslope) slopes were higher than from the waste rock covered plots. Solute (mainly magnesium sulfate) concentrations for both rock types decreased by about an order of magnitude over the wet season. High sulfate concentrations are also likely to decrease substantially after several wet seasons, due to settlement of the waste rock and a reduction in rates of weathering. Development of a vegetation cover on the rehabilitated landforms will reduce the high suspended sediment concentrations. These initial results suggest that rehabilitated uranium mine structures which utilise selected features of stable natural landforms in their design may have greater erosional stability than more conventionally engineered structures.

Pressure-temperature transients for containment design of water-cooled reactors

The containment structure design requirements for water-cooled reactors were evaluated from the mass, volume and energy balance equations representing the blowdown phase of a loss of coolant accident. Thermal equilibrium, both with and without water separation, as well as nonequilibrium conditions, have been assumed. Numerical solutions are shown which demonstrate the application of the model and the influence of various assumptions and approximations presently in use.