Dynamic impact characteristics of KN-18 SNF transport cask – Part 2: Sensitivity analysis of modeling and design parameters

Abstract: In Part 1 of this study, an advanced numerical simulation method was proposed to investigate the impact characteristics of the KN-18 spent nuclear fuel (SNF) transport cask recently developed in Korea and verified against the experimental results. In this study, sensitivity analyses are carried out using the proposed numerical simulation method to investigate the effects of the various modeling and design parameters, such as material model assumption, modeling methodology, analytical assumptions, and design variables that can affect the impact characteristics of a cask and the accuracy of the numerical results. These parametric analyses were also performed to provide a basis for correlations with test results that is closer to reality than merely conservative as a means of benchmarking the numerical models. In addition, the parametric analysis results are compared against the experimental results, and the sensitivities of each parameter are summarized to provide references for the future design and analysis of SNF transport casks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]