A possible alternative to the water immersion test for Type B fissile material packages

US transportation regulations require that a Type B package certified for the transport of fissile material be capable of withstanding a series of tests that demonstrate package integrity under hypothetical accident conditions (HAC). These tests, which are similar to those specified in IAEA regulations, include a sequence consisting of (1) a 9-m (30-ft.) free drop onto an unyielding surface, (2) a 1-m (40-in.) free drop onto a mild steel puncture bar, (3) an exposure to a 30-minute fire of at least 800{degrees}C, and (4) an 8-hour immersion in 0.9 m (3 ft.) of water. This paper presents a possible alternative to conducting an 8-hour immersion test. This alternative would be especially attractive in the case where the water immersion requirement arises after the initial test program, but may also support omission of the immersion test for other cases. In previous Safety Analysis Reports for package certification, applicants have sometimes justified ommission of the immersion test by merely asserting that a structurally sound package which passes the drop, puncture, and fire tests will not permit water in leakage. The method discussed in this paper presents an analytical justification for such a conclusion