ML20209D803

Informs of Nrc/Bnl Cooperation in Undertaking Study Entitled, Methodology for Structural Analyses of Polyethylene High Integrity Containers. Recommends That Responses to NRC Questions on Topical Rept Be Continued

ML20209D803
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/25/1986
From:	Jungling T NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Poppe L CHEM-NUCLEAR SYSTEMS, INC.
References
REF-WM-18 NUDOCS 8609090434
Download: ML20209D803 (2)

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JUN 2 5 1986 TLJ 6/24/86 M2 POPPE WM Record File WM Project

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Docket No. I Mr. Les K. Poppe Chem-Nuclear System, Inc.

PDR Suite <100 LPDR 240 Stoneridge Drive Distribution' Columbia, SC 29210 Dear Mr. Poppe.

pga to WM,623-SS)

At the present time the NRC, through its contractor Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), is undertaking a study entitled " Methodology for the Structural Analyses of Polyethylene High Integrity Containers." The purpose of this' work is to provide the NRC the ability to adequately review the

, structural analyses for polyethylene high integrity container (HIC) topical reports. This study consists of three tasks:

1) development of loading criteria for HIC's, 2) collection and review of material property data f or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and 3) preparation of a computer code to evaluate the structural deformations of the HIC during burial. In brief, this work consists of the following:

1.

Development of-Loading Criteria In this task BNL will review and evaluate the available information related to buried structures. This will lead to the development of conservative values for loading conditions that should be used in the evaluation of the structural integrity of polyethylene HIC's at the low level waste disposal sites.

2.

Collection and Review of Material Property Data for HDPE In this task BNL will review and evaluate the existing data on HDPE material creep and radiation embrittlement. The results of this work will be used to develop acceptable strain criteria for HDPE HIC's during burial.

3.

Preparation of a Computer Code to Evaluate the Structural Deformations of the HIC During Burial In this task BNL will develop a computer code that can be used by the NRC to perform an evaluation of the structural integrity of the proposed HIC designs. This code will take into account the soil pressures and the viscoelastic material properties of HDPE.

The work by BNL is scheduled to be completed by September 1986. Therefore,it will not be possible for the NRC to evaluate the structural analyses of polyethylene HIC's until this work is completed. However, we recommend tF t

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.you continue to prepare your responses to our questions and comments on your

. topical report which we submitted to you on May 31, 1985, so that the delay caused by the ongoing work at BNL will be minimized.

If you have any questions please call me at (301) 427-4540.

Sincerely,

/5 Thomas Jungling Engineering Branch Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards TFC :WMEG

WMEG NAME :TJungling

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-DATE :06/ /86

06/ /86

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