A new, wide-range equation of state (EOS) for vanadium is presented. The generation of this EOS was of a fast-response nature. That is, the data base was constructed very rapidly, the analysis was very cursory, and it was inserted into the Bi-linear Logorithm (BLL) EOS library in 3 to 5 days. The composite theoretical model incorporates condensed matter, ionization equilibrium, and multiphase physics. The theoretical EOS was compared with all available high-temperature and high-pressure data for vanadium; good agreement was obtained. The welting on the Hugoniot could be observed because the Kopyshev gamma nuclear correction was used to generate the high-density region. 8 figures, 1 table.

On November 15, 1976, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory completed its first comprehensive stemming experiment for measuring downhole parameters while varying fill material and rate. Stemming can be defined as backfilling a hole in which a device has been placed to prevent leakage of radioactive materials or gases to the surface. A computer code is being developed for stemming operations, and this experiment was designed to measure parameters under different stemming conditions so the code could be verified and modified. The experiment was conducted in the lower half of a steel-cased, 4-ft-diam, 2000-ft-deep hole at Nevada Test Site. The two stemming materials used in the experiment, Overton sand and LLL II mix, were tested at three fill rates. Significant results of this experiment included successful measurement of downhole air overpressures, vertical and horizontal soil-particle pressures, and temperature. Vertical soil-particle pressures were higher than expected. All surface measurements were valid. The slump-displacement measurements system provided a timing mark to indicate the occurrence of a slump. A major slump occurred on the third day of stemming; a minor slump occurred on the fourth day.

Separate abstracts were prepared for each of the 3 included sections. (MOW)

Results of table-top model experiments performed to investigate pool dynamics effects due to a postulated loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) for the Peach Bottom Mark I boiling water reactor containment system guided subsequent conduct of the 1/5-scale torus experiment and provided new insight into the vertical load function (VLF). Pool dynamics results were qualitatively correct. Experiments with a 1/64-scale fully modeled drywell and torus showed that a 90/sup 0/ torus sector was adequate to reveal three-dimensional effects; the 1/5-scale torus experiment confirmed this.