Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 323 pages. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: This dissertation reports the activities, methods, and key findings of a doctoral research project in applied anthropology and an environmental anthropology fellowship. The research project was conducted through the Department of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, while the fellowship was sponsored jointly by the Society for Applied Anthropology and the United States Environmental Protection Agency and was conducted through the Great Lakes Fellowship Program of the Great Lakes Commission, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Together, these projects demonstrated the utility of an ethnographic approach called Risk Perception Mapping (RPM) to the public consultation and social research interests of the Commission and its associated network of environmental management agencies and organizations. / Through consultation with these organizations I identified an environmental management problem to which anthropological perspectives and methods would be particularly well-suited: Can the undesirable social phenomenon of environmental discrimination be minimized by assuring greater equality in access to public participation in environmental management? To address this problem, I conducted an RPM demonstration project in a five county area surrounding the Fermi II nuclear power plant in southeastern Michigan. My research focused on cultural, geographical, and social-contextual factors that influence the nature and distribution of perceived risk among populations that are potentially affected by environmental management projects. Key findings pertain to perceptually-specific communities of environmental risk and have implications for what I call "participatory equity" in environmental management. / Potential applications to Great Lakes environmental management center on developing equitable population-specific exchanges of information through which more culturally sensitive indicators of Great Lakes ecosystem integrity may emerge. Anthropological contributions to public participation in environmental management are discussed with particular attention to anthropological perspectives on the multiple publics that comprise locally affected communities of environmental risk. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

In this thesis we look at one of the aging mechanisms that may have affected current aged Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Irradiation as an age-related degradation mechanism is studied for Reinforced Concrete (RC) in NPPs. This problem can be important for aged reactor buildings, radwaste buildings, spent nuclear fuel, research reactors, or accelerators that experience high levels of radiation close to existing thresholds. Mechanical properties of concrete are the most important parameters affected by radiation in NPPs. Compressive strength of concrete is reduced between 80 and 35 \% for radiation fluences between $2\times 10^{19}$ and $2\times 10^{21} n/cm^2$. Tensile strength reduction is more significant than compressive strength. It is reduced between 20 and 80 \% for a radiation fluence equal to $5\times 10^{19}$. We chose three radiation levels $2\times 10^{19}$, $2\times 10^{20}$, $2\times 10^{20}$ based on experimental results as the critical levels of radiation that RC structures in NPPs may be exposed to. Structures susceptible to the problem are mostly RC walls; so the RC panel is chosen as an appropriate representative scale element for the analysis. The effect of radiation on mechanical properties of concrete is considered to analyze degraded scale elements. Material properties, geometry, and loading scenarios of scale elements are selected to be close to actual quantities in existing nuclear power plant. Elements are analyzed under six types of loading combination of shear and axial loading conditions. A nonlinear finite element program, Membrane-2000, based on the Modified Compression Field Theory (MCFT) is used to solve scale elements numerically. Element behaviors are studied considering the factors influence ultimate strength capacity, failure mode, and structural ductility index of members. The results show that ultimate shear capacity of the elements subjected to combinations of shear and tension loading are reduced significantly for highly reinforced elements ($1.35<\rho<1.88$) in $2\times 10^{21} n/cm^2$ radiation. RC panels under shear-biaxial and uniaxial compression also show significant strength capacity reduction in radiation levels $2\times 10^{20} n/cm^2$ and $2\times 10^{21} n/cm^2$, respectively. Failure modes of the elements change from yielding of steel to shear failure by increasing level of degradation for the elements with reinforcement ratio between 0.9 and 1.88. Ductility of the RC panels is reduced significantly in the critical levels of radiation. Ductility of the elements became less than the allowable ductility value by increasing level of radiation.

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Willem F.G. Van Rooijen; Committee Member: Ghiaasiaan, Seyed M; Committee Member: Weston M. Stacey

A comunidade da Vila do Frade encontra-se localizada a 5 km de distância em linha reta do reator da central Nuclear almirante Álvaro Alberto, angra dos Reis, RJ. Possui uma população heterogênea, miscigenada por intensos processos de migração ocorridos a partir da década de 1960 em busca das oportunidades de emprego oferecidos pela industrialização local. Ao longo do tempo, parte dessa população assumiu o risco de morar próximo a um reator nuclear, e por isso, migrou em direção as ofertas de emprego oferecidas pelas atividades da central nuclear. Porém, outra parte da população, já residente na região antes da instalação dos reatores nucleares, foi obrigada a conviver com os riscos ou a migrar. À medida que as transformações territoriais avançaram pelas diferentes áreas do município passaram a expor a sociedade local a riscos nunca antes experimentados. Entendido como um processo ou o produto da frequência de ocorrência de um evento no tempo, o risco pode ser assumido, gerenciado ou negligenciado. Dessa forma, a presente pesquisa buscou, através de um estudo empírico, compreender como os diferentes agentes sociais locais convivem com os riscos da atividade nuclear. Foi objetivo da pesquisa a análise da concepção do conceito e da condição de risco por parte dos diferentes agentes sociais constituintes da comunidade da Vila do Frade, Angra dos Reis. Além disso, foi discutido o papel do Estado no processo do ordenamento territorial local. Para tal, uma metodologia baseada no estudo da percepção ambiental dos diferentes agentes sociais locais foi elaborada. As atividades foram precedidas de um levantamento bibliográfico capaz de dar suporte as investigações, além disso, foram realizadas entrevistas quantitativas e qualitativas com as diferentes representações sociais local. As entrevistas quantitativas foram organizadas num banco de dados e utilizadas para compor uma caracterização da população local no que se refere aos conhecimentos necessários para a aplicação do plano de emergência externo da central nuclear. As entrevistas qualitativas foram organizadas num questionário semiestruturado, composto por perguntas abertas e fechadas, e tiveram como objetivo geral uma compreensão da influência da central nuclear nos processos de desenvolvimento humano local. Para a maioria dos entrevistados a falta de um instrumental metodológico capaz de abranger com maior eficiência todas as áreas, classes sociais da comunidade da Vila do Frade e levar com clareza as questões que se colocam dentro do plano de emergência externo são apontados como o principal fator de risco existente na região. / The community of Vila do Frade is located 5 km away, on a straight line, from the reactor of the nuclear power plant Almirante Álvaro Alberto, Angra dos Reis, RJ . It has a heterogeneous population, mixed-race from intense migration processes, which started occurring inthe 1960s, in search of employment opportunities offered by the local industrialization. Over time, part of this population took the risk of living near a nuclear reactor, and, therefore, migrated towards the jobs offered by the activities of nuclear power plant. However, another part of the population, resident in the region before the installation of nuclear reactors, was forced to live with the risk or to migrate. As the territorial transformations advanced through different areas of the city, the local community started being exposed to risks they had never experienced before. Understood as a process or the product of the frequency of occurrence of an event in time, the risk can be assumed, managed or neglected. Thus, this research sought, through an empirical study, to understand how the different local social agents live with the risks of nuclear activity. Objective of the research was the analysis of the concept design and the condition of risk by social workers of the different constituents of the Vila do Frade, Angra dos Reis community. Moreover, discussed the role of the state in local land use planning process. To this end, a methodology based on the study of the environmental perception of different local social agents was prepared. The activities were preceded by a bibliographical survey capable of supporting investigations; moreover, quantitative and qualitative interviews with different social local representations were made. The quantitative interviews were organized in a database and used to compose a characterization of the local population with regard to the knowledge needed to implement the external emergency plan for nuclear power plant. The qualitative interviews were arranged in a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions, and with the overarching goal of an understanding of the influence of nuclear power plant in the processes of local human development. For most respondents, the lack of a methodological tool able to cover more efficiently all areas and social classes of the community Vila do Frade and to clearly lead the issues that arise within the external emergency plan are pointed out as the main factor of risk that exists in the region.

[pt] Os resultados apresentados referem-se à investigação dos mecanismos de interação entre dois sistemas vitais às usinas nucleares, ou seja: os sistemas Principal (SP) e o Secundário (SS). Estes mecanismos são avaliados por meio de sua influência nos espectros de resposta, em pontos da estrutura passíveis da existência de suportes das linhas de tubulação - SS. São usados dois tipos diferentes de análises para a geração dos espectros de resposta: a primeira não considera a interação dos sistemas e a segunda avalia esta interação com a introdução, em cada ponto de suporte no SP, de um S1GL com suportes únicos ou com multi- suportes. As respostas estruturais são obtidas por integração direta da equação de movimento do sistema sujeito a dois acelerogramas simultâneos, nas direções horizontal e vertical. Os resultados são analisados e comparados para identificação das principais tendências das análises e esclarecimento dos efeitos envolvidos. Estuda-se, também, a importância de não- linearidades concentradas nos suportes da tubulação, tendo- se em vista o nível sísmico a que as centrais nucleares brasileiras estão sujeitas. / [en] The results presented in this work refer to the investigation of the mechanics of the interaction between two important systems of nuclear power plants, i.e.: the Primary (PS) and Secondary (SS) systems. The influence of these effects on the response spectra is studied, in convenient points of the structure where could exist pipeline (SS) supports. Two different approaches are used to generate the response spectra: the first neglects the interaction between the two systems and the second considers this interaction by the addition, to every support point on the PS, of a single-supported or multi-supported SDOF system. The structural responses are obtained by the direct integration of the Primary System equations of motion subjected to two simultaneous design acceleration time-histories, in the horizontal and vertical directions. The results are analyzed and compared to identify the general trends of the solutions obtained by the two types of analysis, and to detect their effects on the SS response. The study is concerned, also, with the importance of nonlinearities concentrated in the pipeline supports; in the case of the Brazilian nuclear power plants. / [es] Los resultados presentados se refieran a la investigación de los mecanismos de interacción entre de los los sistemas Principal (SP) y el Secundario (S) de las plantas nucleares. Estos mecanismos son evaluados por medio de su influencia en los espectros de respuesta, en puntos de la extructura donde es posible(pausibles) la existencia de soportes de las líneas de tuberías - S. Son usados dos tipos diferentes de análisis para la generación de los espectros de respuesta: la primera no considera la interacción de los sistemas y la segunda evalúa esta interacción con la introdución, en cada ponto de soporte en el SP, de un S1GL con soportes únicos o con multisoportes. Las respuestas extructurales son obtenidas por integración directa de la ecuación de movimento del sistema sujeto a dos acelerogramas simultáneos, en las direcciones horizontal y vertical. Se analizan los resultados y se comparan para identificar las principales tendencias del análisis y esclarecer los efectos involucrados. Se estudia además, la importancia de no linealidades concentradas en los soportes de la tubería, teniendo en vista el nível sísmico a que las centrales nucleares brasileras están sujetas.

Active Particles at the Temelin NPP, Radiobiological Risks and Protective Precautions The term active particle (AC) was applied on Temelín NPP (ETE) in order to denominate small fragments of high radioactive matters, sized up to 1 millimeter, forming into primary circuit. In accordance with latest available know-how, the ACs major contains corrosion products, that were activated during passing through reactor core. After primary circuit opening, due to carry out outage works, the ACs will spread into ETE radiation controlled area. In proportion to their size, the ACs activity is relative high, so that the ACs can jeopard workers, who will contact them. This jeopardy is namely associated with AC penetration into organism - ingestion or inhalation. The main goal of this dissertation is to determine grounds of ACs occurence in Temelín NPP, to review ACs radiobiological risks and to evaluate procedures and protective aids, used for assurance of workers radiation protection. This dissertation is resuming actual know-how about ACs occured and occuring in Temelín NPP, including suggestions for radiation protection procedures and for protective aids utilization, that are to be used for reduction of above mentioned jeopardy. Next areas are concerned: - analysis of ACs forming and matters composition - description of ACs physical-radiation parameters - identification of main ACs sources in primary circuit - assesment and evaluation of radiobiological jeopardies, associated with ACs occurence in Temelín NPP radiation controlled area - assesment of procedures and protective aids used for protection of workers, who can be endangered by ACs

A importância de métodos de projeto vem crescendo nos últimos anos à medida que sistemas sócio-técnicos complexos se tornam mais numerosos. Além da complexidade, o tamanho e o investimento financeiro destes sistemas amplificam a gravidade dos erros de projeto. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia de especificação e projeto que reduza o tempo e energia para desenvolver um sistema complexo cujas funções sejam conhecidas a priori, gerenciando em paralelo os riscos. O objetivo específico foi verificar a viabilidade econômica de usinas nucleares móveis de pequeno porte. Este trabalho adotou como princípio a lei construtal que prevê o sucesso de sistemas que facilitem os fluxos necessários à sua existência. Após a identificação dos fatores chave para facilitar o fluxo de informações, esta tese desenvolveu um conjunto de conceitos para facilitar o trabalho de engenharia. Aplicando tais conceitos, este trabalho desenvolveu sequências de atividades que descrevem o método proposto, sendo cada atividade detalhada por uma lista de requisitos. A demonstração das vantagens do método proposto foi feita por meio de análise de árvore de eventos e árvore de falhas. Usando o método, esta tese desenvolveu especificações e projetos em vários níveis (empresarial, usina, caldeira nuclear, circuito primário e gerador de vapor). Baseando-se em dados da marinha americana, esta tese desenvolveu um modelo de custo para reatores de pequeno porte. Concluiu que a energia nuclear pode ser competitiva se a potência elétrica média efetiva ao longo da vida útil ficar acima de 30MWe e se o tempo de vida útil for igual ou maior do que 60 anos. Tal fato decorre dos altos custos de aquisição que requerem uma vida longa para compensar o investimento e dos efeitos de economia de escala especialmente pronunciados para reatores a água pressurizada. / The importance of design methodologies has been growing in recent years as complex socio-technical systems become more common. In addition to complexity, the size and financial investment of these systems amplifies the severity of design errors. The general goal of this work was to develop a specification and design methodology that reduces the time and energy to develop a complex system whose functions are known a priori, managing the risks in parallel. The specific goal was to verify if small modular reactors could be economically possible. This work adopted as principle the Constructal law, that predicts the success of systems that ease the necessary flows to its existence. After finding the key factors to ease the flow of information, this work developed a set of concepts to ease the engineering work. Applying such concepts, this work developed sequences of activities that describe the proposed methodology. Lists of requirements gave guidance for each activity. Event tree and fault tree analyses showed the advantages of the proposed methodology. Using the methodology, this work developed specifications and designs at many product breakdown levels (enterprise, nuclear power plant, nuclear steam supply system, reactor coolant system and steam generator). Using data from US Navy, this work developed a cost model for small reactors. This work concluded that nuclear power may be competitive if average electrical power extracted during the life is larger than 30 MWe and if life time is superior to 60 years. The first condition is consequence of the high overnight costs of nuclear power. The second is consequence of the strong scale economy effects of pressurized water reactors.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-01-30 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP) / Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão (CEPID) / Centro de Estudos Multidisciplinar em Sonolência e Acidentes (CEMSA) / Os trabalhadores em turnos das usinas nucleares devem manter um alto desempenho e atenção ao longo do seu turno. No entanto, encontra-se consolidado na literatura que os distúrbios do sono podem prejudicar a atenção e o desempenho dos trabalhadores que são submetidos a diferentes horários de sono. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as queixas subjetivas sobre o sono e os parâmetros polissonográficos dos trabalhadores em turnos das usinas nucleares brasileiras. Método: Foi realizada uma avaliação subjetiva com a aplicação do Questionário UNIFESP do sono, no qual os trabalhadores que relataram alguma queixa referente ao sono, foram encaminhados para a realização de uma avaliação polissonográfica noturna. Resultados: Dos 327 trabalhadores que responderam ao questionário, 113 relataram queixas de sono; sendo estes também mais velhos, com um maior IMC e que trabalhavam por turnos há mais tempo, quando comparados aos sem queixas de sono. Dentre os 113 que apresentaram queixas e que foram encaminhados para a polissonografia, 90 apresentaram alterações no sono, apresentando como resultado uma maior proporção no estágio 1, um maior índice de microdespertares, um maior índice de apnéia e de hipopnéia e um maior índice de movimento das pernas, quando comparados com os demais. Destes, 18 (20%) apresentaram movimentos periódicos de pernas, 30 (33%) foram considerados como tendo apnéia, e 42 (47%) apresentaram estas duas condições combinadas. A maioria dos casos foi considerada como de grau leve. Conclusões: De maneira geral, os dados do presente estudo corroboram com os já evidenciados na literatura os quais mostram que, subjetivamente (no questionário), os trabalhadores em turnos apresentam queixas de sono. E com a polissonografia xi ii foi constatado que além de queixas a grande maioria dos trabalhadores apresenta índices preditores de distúrbios do sono. As porcentagens encontradas são próximas às da população em geral, mas é importante ressaltar que estas queixas influenciam diretamente para uma diminuição da qualidade de vida destes trabalhadores bem como, no que diz respeito ao desempenho e o aumento do risco de acidentes durante a jornada de trabalho. / It is widely recognized in the literature that shift workers present more health complaints than the general population. The objective of this study was to describe and diagnose the sleep complaints and sleep disorders of shift workers in two Brazilian Nuclear Power Plants. Three hundred and twenty seven (327) shift workers participated in the study. They worked in three rotating shifts: afternoon (3pm-11pm), morning (7am-3pm) and night (11pm-7am). We carried out a subjective evaluation with a sleep questionnaire. Based on these results, the interviewees that reported sleep-related complaints more than three times a week were referred for a Polysomnographic Evaluation. Out of the 327 volunteers initially evaluated, 145 were referred to Polysomnography. Of these, 111 (34%) workers presented some kind of sleep disorder, these being: 31 (21%) with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and 30 (21%) with Periodic Limb Movement (PLM). Fifty subjects (34%) presented both disorders and 34 (23%) presented none. The present study shows that 37% of the population evaluated presented some sort of sleep disorder. This high percentage should be investigated for associations with other aspects of work, such as working hours, working schedule, years performing shift work and access to health services. Due to the strong association between sleep disorders and the incidence of fatigue and sleepiness (and, therefore, a higher probability of accidents), the evaluation of the sleep patterns and complaints of shift workers is essential and should be considered to be one of the basic strategies of the companies to prevent accidents. / FAPESP: 05/57.525-1 / CEPID: 98/14303-3 / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

The thesis deals with the solution to evacuation of the population from the zone of emergency planning of the nuclear power station Temelín in the event of an incident connected with the release of radioactive substances . It analyzes the way of evacuation of the persons, as one of the most important safety measures to ensure protection of the population. In particular, the work focuses on the correct procedures in the case of realization of the evacuation and competence of the persons involved in safety measures. It lists the basic criteria which are applied in protection of the population from the effects of ionizing radiation in vicinity of nuclear power plants. It proposes improving of quality of security protection and information of persons in the zone of emergency planning. The work is based on valid law regulations and special publications of the examined problems. The predominantly part is based on the laws in force, and expertise of publications covering the evacuation of the area.It refers to the external emergency plan, as the basic document for the planning of measures for the disposal of the consequences of radiation accidents or radiation accidents and the limitation of their consequences for the zone of emergency planning. The theoretical part proceeeds from analysis of contemporary legislation concerning the stated problematics, presents the general characteristics of a nuclear device and zone of emergency planning, defining the basic concepts and discusses the important measures in addressing emergencies arising in connection with radiation accidents in nuclear power plant. The work puts emphasis on the principle of correct behaviour of the population in the event of such an accident. For the processing of the thesis there has been used an exploration method, which is based on the proposed methodology. On the base of analysis of survey, possible ways of improvement of this branch were suggested. From the collected data there have been assessed possible system measures of evacuation with regard to their application in practice.

A comunidade da Vila do Frade encontra-se localizada a 5 km de distância em linha reta do reator da central Nuclear almirante Álvaro Alberto, angra dos Reis, RJ. Possui uma população heterogênea, miscigenada por intensos processos de migração ocorridos a partir da década de 1960 em busca das oportunidades de emprego oferecidos pela industrialização local. Ao longo do tempo, parte dessa população assumiu o risco de morar próximo a um reator nuclear, e por isso, migrou em direção as ofertas de emprego oferecidas pelas atividades da central nuclear. Porém, outra parte da população, já residente na região antes da instalação dos reatores nucleares, foi obrigada a conviver com os riscos ou a migrar. À medida que as transformações territoriais avançaram pelas diferentes áreas do município passaram a expor a sociedade local a riscos nunca antes experimentados. Entendido como um processo ou o produto da frequência de ocorrência de um evento no tempo, o risco pode ser assumido, gerenciado ou negligenciado. Dessa forma, a presente pesquisa buscou, através de um estudo empírico, compreender como os diferentes agentes sociais locais convivem com os riscos da atividade nuclear. Foi objetivo da pesquisa a análise da concepção do conceito e da condição de risco por parte dos diferentes agentes sociais constituintes da comunidade da Vila do Frade, Angra dos Reis. Além disso, foi discutido o papel do Estado no processo do ordenamento territorial local. Para tal, uma metodologia baseada no estudo da percepção ambiental dos diferentes agentes sociais locais foi elaborada. As atividades foram precedidas de um levantamento bibliográfico capaz de dar suporte as investigações, além disso, foram realizadas entrevistas quantitativas e qualitativas com as diferentes representações sociais local. As entrevistas quantitativas foram organizadas num banco de dados e utilizadas para compor uma caracterização da população local no que se refere aos conhecimentos necessários para a aplicação do plano de emergência externo da central nuclear. As entrevistas qualitativas foram organizadas num questionário semiestruturado, composto por perguntas abertas e fechadas, e tiveram como objetivo geral uma compreensão da influência da central nuclear nos processos de desenvolvimento humano local. Para a maioria dos entrevistados a falta de um instrumental metodológico capaz de abranger com maior eficiência todas as áreas, classes sociais da comunidade da Vila do Frade e levar com clareza as questões que se colocam dentro do plano de emergência externo são apontados como o principal fator de risco existente na região. / The community of Vila do Frade is located 5 km away, on a straight line, from the reactor of the nuclear power plant Almirante Álvaro Alberto, Angra dos Reis, RJ . It has a heterogeneous population, mixed-race from intense migration processes, which started occurring inthe 1960s, in search of employment opportunities offered by the local industrialization. Over time, part of this population took the risk of living near a nuclear reactor, and, therefore, migrated towards the jobs offered by the activities of nuclear power plant. However, another part of the population, resident in the region before the installation of nuclear reactors, was forced to live with the risk or to migrate. As the territorial transformations advanced through different areas of the city, the local community started being exposed to risks they had never experienced before. Understood as a process or the product of the frequency of occurrence of an event in time, the risk can be assumed, managed or neglected. Thus, this research sought, through an empirical study, to understand how the different local social agents live with the risks of nuclear activity. Objective of the research was the analysis of the concept design and the condition of risk by social workers of the different constituents of the Vila do Frade, Angra dos Reis community. Moreover, discussed the role of the state in local land use planning process. To this end, a methodology based on the study of the environmental perception of different local social agents was prepared. The activities were preceded by a bibliographical survey capable of supporting investigations; moreover, quantitative and qualitative interviews with different social local representations were made. The quantitative interviews were organized in a database and used to compose a characterization of the local population with regard to the knowledge needed to implement the external emergency plan for nuclear power plant. The qualitative interviews were arranged in a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions, and with the overarching goal of an understanding of the influence of nuclear power plant in the processes of local human development. For most respondents, the lack of a methodological tool able to cover more efficiently all areas and social classes of the community Vila do Frade and to clearly lead the issues that arise within the external emergency plan are pointed out as the main factor of risk that exists in the region.