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At least 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Impacts of common cause failure regulatory requirements on protection system architectures - 304

Regulatory-based design considerations for potential common cause failures (CCF) in digital instrumentation and control (I and C) systems have evolved over time and have impacted the development of protection system I and C architectures. The single failure criterion used to be the main design driver for a protection system I and C architecture and resulted in the familiar four-fold and three-fold system architectures. The single failure criterion has now been replaced by the conservative assumptions associated with digital CCF concerns (i.e., assumed digital CCF coincident with an anticipated operational transient or postulated accident) which are classified as 'beyond design basis events' by regulatory authorities. It is unusual for a beyond design basis event to be the controlling factor for a safety system design but that is now the reality for I and C system designers. The preferred regulatory solution is to introduce diversity into I and C system designs to guard against the general concern of digital CCF. However, the lack of clear criteria on how to define sufficient diversity (i.e., how much, what kind, and whether it is linked to identified digital CCF vulnerabilities) had led to more complex I and C architectures. The trend has been towards lengthy and more difficult reviews for the treatment of digital CCF vulnerabilities and I and C system architectures because of the subjective definition of digital CCF vulnerabilities and the lack of clear acceptance criteria for diversity strategy. Improvement in the treatment of digital CCF is needed to reverse the trend of increased I and C system architecture complexity and longer regulatory reviews. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Nuclear power plant instrumentation and control cyber security common vector access leading to relational common cause failures - 340

Nuclear power plants and facilities have been implementing digital system upgrades into their previously analog systems for well over twenty years. New nuclear facilities' control, security, and emergency preparedness systems are almost exclusively built on digital architectures with a high degree of communication between the various systems that are often integrated together into a central control station to aid in operation or security of the facility. As digital systems become more widespread in nuclear facility control system architectures, cyber security related issues have become a significant concern to operators, regulators, governments, and other groups. Among the many concerns related to digital systems and cyber security is the area of common cause and common mode failures. This paper introduces, defines, and discusses some sources of common cause failure from a cyber security perspective: common vector access. This refers to specific access points that an adversary can exploit through a single attack sequence that have the potential to provide relational failures through common cause on multiple components, subsystems, systems, or plants. This paper will further discuss interconnected processes where these access points may exist, the importance of limiting or controlling these pinch points, and some methods of protecting common vector access points. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

NRC technical basis for evaluation of its position on protection against common cause failure in digital systems used in nuclear power plants - 378

Digital technology has advantages over analog systems, including automated monitoring and alerts for standby safety functions, and predictive algorithms to maintain critical safety systems. Additionally, digital technology generally has higher reliability and can be designed to reduce single point vulnerabilities. For these reasons many nuclear plants have applied digital technology to safety and non-safety related applications, including reactor protection system, feedwater and turbine controls, etc. with a corresponding significant improvement in trip reduction. Nonetheless, digital instrumentation and control (I and C) systems also present potential new vulnerabilities that need to be assessed, including potential failures due to increased complexity of digital systems, the introduction of unique failure modes due to software (including software common cause failure (CCF)), and limited operating history of digital systems in nuclear safety related applications compared to analog systems. The fact that software is intangible means that common methods, such as analysis or testing, used for detecting CCF may not be effective when applied to software. Consequently, digital technology is perceived to pose a potential risk from the introduction of undetected systematic faults that could result in CCF. Despite the I and C system upgrades and modifications performed to date, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and industry stakeholders have identified the need to modernize the regulatory infrastructure to efficiently address risks associated with the use of digital technology for nuclear safety applications and address regulatory uncertainties. The NRC's current position on CCF is guided by the staff requirements memorandum (SRM) on SECY 93-087. The SRM provides specific acceptance criteria for the evaluation of CCF, which the staff implemented in the Branch Technical Position (BTP) 7-19. However, industry stakeholders have proposed using methods to characterize the likelihood of software CCF and eliminate it from further consideration in a defense-in-depth and diversity analysis. The NRC's current position does not consider these alternatives, and thus corresponding acceptance criteria is not currently available. The work discussed in this paper assesses the underlying technical basis associated with CCF, provides technical support for updating the NRC position and considers proposed methods for addressing potential CCF in digital systems while enhancing efficiency, clarity, and confidence. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Failure Diagnosis for the Holdup Tank System via ISFA

This paper discusses the use of the integrated system failure analysis (ISFA) technique for fault diagnosis for the holdup tank system. ISFA is a simulation-based, qualitative and integrated approach used to study fault propagation in systems containing both hardware and software subsystems. The holdup tank system consists of a tank containing a fluid whose level is controlled by an inlet valve and an outlet valve. We introduce the component and functional models of the system, quantify the main parameters and simulate possible failure-propagation paths based on the fault propagation approach, ISFA. The results show that most component failures in the holdup tank system can be identified clearly and that ISFA is viable as a technique for fault diagnosis. Since ISFA is a qualitative technique that can be used in the very early stages of system design, this case study provides indications that it can be used early to study design aspects that relate to robustness and fault tolerance. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multifidelity Active Learning for Failure Estimation of TRISO Nuclear Fuel

The Tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated particle fuel is a robust nuclear fuel proposed to be used for multiple modern nuclear technologies. Therefore, characterizing its safety is vital for the reliable operation of nuclear technologies. However, the TRISO fuel failure probabilities are small and the computational model is time consuming to evaluate them using traditional Monte Carlo-type approaches. In the paper, we present a multifidelity active learning approach to efficiently estimate small failure probabilities given an expensive computational model. Active learning suggests the next best training set for optimal subsequent predictive performance and multifidelity modeling uses cheaper low-fidelity models to approximate the high-fidelity model output. After presenting the multifidelity active learning approach, we apply it to efficiently predict TRISO failure probability and make comparisons to the reference results.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Interim Development of new Class B Code Case with Variable Design Lifetime and enhanced design rules to guard against cyclic structural failure mode

This report summarizes updates on the ongoing development of the new American Society of Mechanical Engineers Section III, Division 5, Class B rules to address the potential failure modes of Class B components. An initial design-by-analysis approach and supporting design rules are presented. The elastic-perfectly plastic (EPP) analysis approach has been adopted for primary stress limit and ratcheting check to prevent the component failure against the structural failure mode against primary load and strain accumulation due to cyclic loads. The creep-fatigue damage assessment uses explicitly defined elastic follow-up calculated from the stress concentration region of given component. Damage fraction calculation uses a novel coupled approach to capture the influence of the elastic follow-up and provide adequate conservatism for Class B components. The proposed Class B rules does not use the stress classification approach and uses the combined loads to assess component.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Failure time distributions for complex equipment

The exponential distribution is inadequate as a failure time model for most components; however, under certain conditions (in particular, that component failure rates are small and mutually independent, and failed components are immediately replaced or perfectly repaired), it is applicable to complex repairable systems with large numbers of components in series, regardless of component distributions, as shown by Drenick in 1960. This result implies that system behavior may become simpler as more components are added. We review necessary conditions for the result and present some simulation studies to assess how well it holds in systems with finite numbers of components. Lastly, we also note that Drenick's result is analogous to similar results in other systems disciplines, again resulting in simpler behavior as the number of entities in the system increases.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Sandia Fracture Challenge 3: detailing the Sandia Team Q failure prediction strategy

The third Sandia Fracture Challenge illustrated the geometric and material uncertainties presented by modern additive manufacturing techniques. Tasked with the challenge of predicting failure of a complex additively-manufactured geometry made of 316L stainless steel, we combined a rigorous material calibration scheme with a number of statistical assessments of problem uncertainties. Particularly, we used optimization techniques to calibrate a rate-dependent and anisotropic Hill plasticity model to represent material deformation coupled with a damage model driven by void growth and nucleation. Through targeted simulation studies we assessed the influence of internal voids and surface flaws on the specimens of interest in the challenge which guided our material modeling choices. Employing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test statistic, we developed a representative suite of simulations to account for the geometric variability of test specimens and the variability introduced by material parameter uncertainty. This method allowed the team to successfully predict the failure mode of the experimental test population as well as the global response with a high degree of accuracy.

316L stainless steel↗
DOE OSTI2015

Prediction of Technological Failures in Nuclear Power Plant Operation

A method for predicting operating technological failures in nuclear power plants which makes it possible to reduce the unloading of the generator unit during the onset and development of an anomalous engineering state of the equipment by detecting a change in state earlier and taking suitable measures. With the circulating water supply loop of a nuclear power plant as an example, scenarios and algorithms for predicting technological failures in the operation of equipment long before their actual occurrence are discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Axial Tensile Failure Analysis of SiC{sub f}/Ti Composite Based on Continuum Cohesive Zone Model

In this paper, the failure behavior of SiC fiber-reinforced Ti-6Al-4V matrix composite (SiC{sub f}/Ti) under longitudinal loads was studied experimentally and theoretically. Experimental results show that the interface of SiC{sub f}/Ti composite is continuous and integral. Through SEM observations, it was found that transverse matrix cracks initiated from the debonding region of the interface. A three-dimensional representative volume element was developed to simulate the failure process of SiC{sub f}/Ti-6Al-4V composite. A continuum cohesive zone model is employed to describe the debonding behavior at the interface, compared with a discrete one. More accurate simulated results were obtained by a continuum cohesive zone model, corresponding to experimental results. The transverse cracking behavior of the matrix was simulated. The stress–strain curves predicted by the continuum cohesive zone model show a good agreement with the experimental results. The fiber volume fraction, interface strength and interface toughness are investigated to exhibit their influences upon the longitudinal mechanical characteristics of SiC{sub f}/Ti-6Al-4V composite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

An FEM-Based Peridynamic Model for Failure Analysis of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Laminates

To predict the mixed damage modes of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates under dynamic loading, an FEM-based peridynamic model is introduced in this paper. Based on its geometric structure and material composition, a long fiber lamina is considered a transversely isotropic medium as a result of homogenization at the meso-scale. The laminated structure is modeled by stacking surface mesh layers with arbitrary fiber angles along the thickness direction. The peridynamic bonds between Gauss points connect the separated elements. These bonds are classified as inner-layer bonds and inter-layer bonds. To represent the anisotropy of a laminate, the micro-elastic modulus of the inner-layer and inter-layer bonds is calculated from the anisotropic engineering material constants separately. To capture complex failure behaviors of laminate structures, an empirical damage model is proposed for the tension/ compression breakage of peridynamic bonds. This damage model can control the in-plane and delamination failure process. Finally, benchmark tests are conducted to validate the elastic response of laminates under dynamic loading. In terms of damage analysis, the proposed model can capture the complex damage modes and resistive force of laminate structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Claudin-3 expression in radiation-exposed rat models: A potential marker for radiation-induced intestinal barrier failure

Highlights: • Irradiation increased intestinal bacterial translocation, accompanied by claudin protein expression in rats. • Neurotensin decreased the bacterial translocation and restored claudin-3 expression. • Claudin-3 can be used as a marker in evaluating radiation induced intestinal injury. - Abstract: The molecular events leading to radiation-induced intestinal barrier failure are not well known. The influence of the expression of claudin proteins in the presence and absence of neurotensin was investigated in radiation-exposed rat intestinal epithelium. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, irradiation, and irradiation + neurotensin groups, and bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph node and expression of claudins were determined. Irradiation led to intestinal barrier failure as demonstrated by significant bacterial translocation. In irradiated terminal ilea, expression of claudin-3 and claudin-4 was significantly decreased, and claudin-2 expression was increased. Administration of neurotensin significantly reduced bacterial translocation and restored the structure of the villi as seen by histologic examination. Among the three subtype of claudins, only claudin-3 expression was restored. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of neurotensin on the disruption of the intestinal barrier is associated with claudin-3 alteration and that claudin-3 could be used as a marker in evaluating radiation-induced intestinal injury.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental investigation of probabilistic failure of SiC/SiC composite tubes under multiaxial loading

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the failure behavior of SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composite tubes under multiaxial loading. A new testing apparatus is designed to independently apply axial stress and internal pressure to SiC/SiC tubes. Acoustic emission (AE) is used to monitor the damage growth in the specimen. Based on the measured stress–strain response, a strain-based criterion is proposed to determine the proportional limit stress (PLS). The proposed strain-based criterion is compared with the PLS determined by the AE measurement. The PLS is determined for different loading ratios to form a multiaxial failure surface. By testing multiple replicates, the statistical variations of the PLS are determined. In conclusion, based on the experimental results, a mathematical model is developed to characterize the probability distribution of the PLS of SiC/SiC composites under multiaxial loading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydrogen-enhanced compatibility constraint for intergranular failure in FCC FeNiCoCrMn high-entropy alloy

The fundamental mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement was investigated in the high-entropy alloy FeNiCoCrMn using slow strain rate tensile tests with and without internal hydrogen. Hydrogen induced intergranular failure and reduced the average grain elongation parallel to the tensile axis, but also increased the local plasticity within grains. Here, the influence of hydrogen on plasticity establishes a compatibility constraint across grain boundaries, which results in failure along the hydrogen-weakened grain boundaries. This study is the first to directly confirm the presence of the hydrogen-enhanced compatibility constraint in a high-entropy alloy and highlights the importance of developing a physical understanding of grain-scale interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical-mechanical coupling failure mechanism of composite cathode in all-solid-state batteries

Composite cathode composed of active particles and solid electrolytes (SEs) can considerably enlarge the particle-SE contact areas and achieve high areal loadings in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, the challenging interfacial instability and particle damage problems remain unsolved. Herein, we establish a 3D electrochemical-mechanical coupled model to investigate the underlying failure mechanism by considering the governing electrochemical and physics processes. Micro-scale heterogeneous primary particles with random crystallographic orientation and size inside the LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 (NCM111) secondary particle of the model result in the anisotropic Li diffusion and volume variation within the secondary particle, leading to significant nonuniformity of the Li concentration, and GPa-level stress distributions at primary particle boundaries, and finally causing the particle internal cracks. The particle volume shrinkage under the constraint of stiff Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) SE triggers the interface debonding (gap>50 nm) with increased interfacial impedance to degrade cell capacity. Higher C-rates result in larger residual stress (~100 MPa)/strain/debonding gap at dis-charging end, more likely to deteriorate the cell performance. Increasing the interfacial strength between the particle and SE can suppress the interface debonding but induces high stress (up to 10 GPa). In conclusion, results reveal the underlying mechanism of the electrochemical-mechanical coupling failure mechanism for composite cathode and provide promising guidance on the further improvement of a more robust composite cathode for ASSBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Positron Emission Tomography for Assessing Local Failure After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: We analyzed whether positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography standardized uptake values (SUVs) after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) could predict local recurrence (LR) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials: This study comprised 128 patients with Stage I (n = 68) or isolated recurrent/secondary parenchymal (n = 60) NSCLC treated with image-guided SBRT to 50 Gy over 4 consecutive days; prior radiotherapy was allowed. PET/computed tomography scans were obtained before therapy and at 1 to 6 months after therapy, as well as subsequently as clinically indicated. Continuous variables were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis tests and categorical variables with Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact tests. Actuarial local failure rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: At a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 6-71 months), the actuarial 1-, 2-, and 3-year local control rates were 100%, 98.5%, and 98.5%, respectively, in the Stage I group and 95.8%, 87.6%, and 85.8%, respectively, in the recurrent group. The cumulative rates of regional nodal recurrence and distant metastasis were 8.8% (6 of 68) and 14.7% (10 of 68), respectively, for the Stage I group and 11.7% (7 of 60) and 16.7% (10 of 60), respectively, for the recurrent group. Univariate analysis showed that SUVs obtained 12.1 to 24 months after treatment for the Stage I group (p = 0.007) and 6.1 to 12 months and 12.1 to 24 months after treatment for the recurrent group were associated with LR (p < 0.001 for both). Of the 128 patients, 17 (13.3%) had ipsilateral consolidation after SBRT but no elevated metabolic activity on PET; none had LR. The cutoff maximum SUV of 5 was found to have 100% sensitivity, 91% specificity, a 50% positive predictive value, and a 100% negative predictive value for predicting LR. Conclusions: PET was helpful for distinguishing SBRT-induced consolidation from LR. SUVs obtained more than 6 months after SBRT for NSCLC were associated with local failure. A maximum SUV greater than 5, especially at more than 6 months after SBRT, should prompt biopsy to rule out LR.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery as Salvage Therapy After Failure of Whole-Brain Radiotherapy in Patients With Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Radiosurgery has been successfully used in selected cases to avoid repeat whole-brain irradiation (WBI) in patients with multiple brain metastases of most solid tumor histological findings. Few data are available for the use of radiosurgery for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods and Materials: Between November 1999 and June 2009, 51 patients with SCLC and previous WBI and new brain metastases were treated with GammaKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS). A median dose of 18 Gy (range, 10-24 Gy) was prescribed to the margin of each metastasis. Patients were followed with serial imaging. Patient electronic records were reviewed to determine disease-related factors and clinical outcomes after GKSRS. Local and distant brain failure rates, overall survival, and likelihood of neurologic death were determined based on imaging results. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine survival and local and distant brain control. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to determine strength of association between disease-related factors and survival. Results: Median survival time for the entire cohort was 5.9 months. Local control rates at 1 and 2 years were 57% and 34%, respectively. Distant brain failure rates at 1 and 2 years were 58% and 75%, respectively. Fifty-three percent of patients ultimately died of neurologic death. On multivariate analysis, patients with stable (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.89) or progressive (HR = 6.98) extracranial disease (ECD) had worse overall survival than patients without evidence of ECD (p = 0.00002). Concurrent chemotherapy improved local control (HR = 89; p = 0.006). Conclusions: GKSRS represents a feasible salvage option in patients with SCLC and brain metastases for whom previous WBI has failed. The status of patients' ECD is a dominant factor predictive of overall survival. Local control may be inferior to that seen with other cancer histological results, although the use of concurrent chemotherapy may help to improve this.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Low-Dose Involved-Field Radiation in the Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Predictors of Response and Treatment Failure

Purpose: To investigate clinical and pathologic factors significant in predicting local response and time to further treatment after low-dose involved-field radiation therapy (LD-IFRT) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods and Materials: Records of NHL patients treated at a single institution between April 2004 and September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Low-dose involved-field radiation therapy was given as 4 Gy in 2 fractions over 2 consecutive days. Treatment response and disease control were determined by radiographic studies and/or physical examination. A generalized estimating equation model was used to assess the effect of tumor and patient characteristics on disease response. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess time to further treatment. Results: We treated a total of 187 sites in 127 patients with LD-IFRT. Histologies included 66% follicular, 9% chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma, 10% marginal zone, 6% mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and 8% other. Median follow-up time was 23.4 months (range, 0.03-92.2 months). The complete response, partial response, and overall response rates were 57%, 25%, and 82%, respectively. A CLL histology was associated with a lower response rate (odds ratio 0.2, 95% confidence interval 0.1-0.5, P=.02). Tumor size, site, age at diagnosis, and prior systemic therapy were not associated with response. The median time to first recurrence was 13.6 months. Those with CLL and age ≤50 years at diagnosis had a shorter time to further treatment for local failures (hazard ratio [HR] 3.63, P=.01 and HR 5.50, P=.02, respectively). Those with CLL and MCL had a shorter time to further treatment for distant failures (HR 11.1 and 16.3, respectively, P<.0001). Conclusions: High local response rates were achieved with LD-IFRT across most histologies. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and MCL histologies and age ≤50 years at diagnosis had a shorter time to further treatment after LD-IFRT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗