The LOFT Reactor Vessel 290/sup 0/ Downcomer Stalk Instrument Penetration Flange Stress Analysis has been completed using normal operational and blowdown loading. A linear elastic analysis was completed using simplified hand analysis techniques. The analysis was in accordance with the 1977 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, for a Class 1 component. Loading included internal pressure, bolt preload, and thermal gradients due to normal operating and blowdown.

A detailed dynamic analysis of the LOFT reactor core support structures was performed to determine the ability of the flow skirt/core filler and hold-down springs to withstand Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) plus Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) loadings. A double-ended offset shear occurring in 15 msec (5 msec break time + msec for offset to occur) in the intact loop at the reactor vessel nozzle provided the basis for LOCA loads. The flow skirt/core filler and lower core support structure separate from the core barrel approximately 0.068 in. as a result of the hot leg LOCA. This small displacement and the resulting impact loads produce stresses in the springs, core barrel, flow skirt/core filler, and shear pins within allowables as specified in Section III of the ASME Code for faulted conditions.

From summary: The procedure has been to search for areas in which nonpedogenic calcrete or gypcrete may have developed and where additional study or exploration might be justified.

Calcrete, dolocrete, and gypcrete carnotite are abundant in western Australia and Namib Desert, although only a few are of ore grade. The geology of these deposits are described. A genetic classification of calcretes emphasizing uranium favorability was developed, based on the distinction between pedogenic and nonpedogenic processes. Similarities between western Australia and South West Africa give support for the conclusions that lateral transport of U in groundwater is essential to ore deposition and that bedrock barriers or constrictions which narrow the channel of subsurface flow or force the water close to the land surface, greatly favor the formation of uraniferous calcretes. Criteria for uranium favorability deduced from the Australian and South West African studies were applied in a preliminary way to the southern Basin and Range Province of U.S. The procedure is to search for areas in which nonpedogenic calcrete or gypcrete may have developed. A caliche distribution map was compiled from soil survey and field data. Many areas were visited and some of the more interesting are described briefly, including parts of Clark County, Nevada, with occurrences of carnotite in calcrete. (DLC)