COM 0212.422 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FEB 3'97 16:39 FR NORDION INTERNfiTIONRL 13 592 0440 TO 12018871476 P.13/19 response co these "normal' conditions is sot simple; however, standard engineering techniques usually suffice. On the other hand, the worst case accident conditions, which ssssneially consist of: a) free fall of the package from 3 feat (1 m) onto a 6-inch (15.25 cm) diameter steal pin; b) free fall of the package from 30 feet (9.14 a) onto an essentially unyielding surface; c) exposure of the package co thermal conditions equivalent to 30 minuees Ln an snvizonmane of 1472° F (800°C) present more complex fast and evaluation challenges. Depending on thr package design, the full assessment of• its response under these "worst case' conditions Ls oftsa beyond the capabilities of standard analytical eachniques. In such sieuations, the package assessment is made on the results of full scale destructive tests or aodelling based on the results of destructive testing of similar packages. One or more packages are selected from each family of packages for destructive tasting vieh the intent to collect enough data to enable reliable assassmsnc of the remaining packages of similar design in that family. Packages ::sassed as being most susceptible to the cwoulacive damage of drop and fire tests era selected for the deseructive cast series. SHIPPING CONTAINER DEST&UCiIVE tESTINC Dron Tests Before a drop tests can be carried out, one has to select test facilities which will meet the regulatory requirements for Besting. Until 1978, no facility in Canada would mace both the requirements of the &egulations and have an adequate loading eapaeiry. A drop test facility with a capacity of 20,000 lbs. (9072 kg) vas conseructsd during the sumsr of 1978 at Canada's Chalk River Nuclear laboratories, a division of Aeamie Easzgy of Canada L3mieed. 1c consists of a cement !spec[ pad testing on bedrock and covered with a 4.inch (10 cm) chick high strength steel plats. Above the pad, a cover with an alsetrieal hoist provides 42 fnet (12.8 a) clearance beevasn the hoist hook and the surface of the pad. A special release mechanism was designed and fabricated at Nordion Incarnaeional Inc. The asehanism is actuated by a remotely controlled pneumatic cylinder and has a capacity of 20,000 lbs. (9072 kg). The important feature of the device is its true vertical release action which ensures. that the prssalaecsd drop ozieneation of the package is maintained during the free fall. Each package la monitored with decsleromecers co provide, wgather vieh the sxaaination of the high speed films, the basis for subsaquene assessment of similar flask modals. To facilieate the interpzatation of the high speed film, a checkered (20 cm squares) pattern is installed as a background. Ia®sdiately prior to each test, the package attitude is confirmed and recorded. - 4 -