Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

(dollars in thousands)
FY 2010
Actual
Approp
FY 2011
Request
Weapons Systems Engineering Assessment Technology 17,977 13,530 15,663
FY 2012
Request
This subprogram objective establishes the capability to predict engineering margins by integrating
numerical simulations with experimental data and uses engineering computational models in
collaboration with the ASC Campaign to predict weapon system response to all three STS
environments: normal, abnormal, and hostile. Validated computational tools are required to explore
the operational parameter space of the nuclear weapons stockpile. Exploration of operational
parameter space identifies failure modes and boundaries, thus establishing engineering margins.
Through tests and evaluations, this subprogram also supports manufacturing the development of
critical components and subsystems; e.g., neutron generators, gas transfer systems, and microsystems.
In FY 2012, the subprogram will focus on producing data sets for model validation in support of
current weapon alterations and modifications, providing an extensive set of (thermal, mechanical,
shock, etc) validation regimes to qualify the B61 and future LEPs. Combined efforts between the
ASC Campaign’s Verification and Validation and Physics and Engineering Models subprograms form
the foundation of the subprogram, and provide validated modeling and simulation capability for multiscale
and multi-physics problems encountered in qualification and certification activities.
Specific work to be accomplished in FY 2012 includes:
• Completing fire model validation with data sets for spatially resolved thermal radiation emission
and absorption loads in a fire for B61 postulated environments;
• Demonstrating hybrid (computational/experimental) structural response modeling for normal
aeromechanical loading environments for B61 LEP relevant environments and responses;
• Continuing to develop non-intrusive instrumentation;
• System development testing and high explosive structural property measurements supporting model
development for improved assessments of structural response will be performed; and
• Assessing margins for insensitive high explosive main charge materials in both normal and
abnormal environments.
Nuclear Survivability 20,980 19,786 19,545
The modern analysis capabilities developed by the Nuclear Survivability subprogram will enable
quicker and more accurate assessment of the potential impacts of scheduled refurbishments (LEPs,
alterations, and modifications); weapon replacement activities; surveillance discoveries; natural aging;
and the introduction of new materials, technologies, or component designs. The scope of the
subprogram includes developing scientific models for understanding radiation effects; generating
experimental data to validate computational tools; understanding radiation-hardened design strategies;
evaluating new and evolving stockpile candidate technologies for radiation hardness capabilities in a
generalized, weapon-relevant configuration; studying radiation hardening aging phenomena for the
Weapons Activities/
Engineering Campaign Page 99
FY 2012 Congressional Budget