Week 2 - Lecture 1 - Nuclear Safety Science Flashcards
Stochastic variables
Variables about which we are uncertain
Event Tree
A procedure that shows all the possible outcomes resulting from an accidental event called “initiating event”. An event tree takes into account the effects of the functioning or failure of safety mechanisms in response to an accident, especially when events follow a particular time progression.
Fault Tree
An approach to reveal all possible sources of critical failures. This approach starts with a critical event or ‘top event’. From there, all possible sources of critical failures are sought as well as the potential causes for these sources until the basic event is known
Series systems
Within a series system, the failure of a single component will always lead to the failure of the entire system
E.g. a chain, which breaks if any individual link fails.
Parallel systems
Within a parallel system, failure of one component can be compensated by the performance of another component; it represents the concept of redundancy
Redundancy
The intentional duplication of critical components or functions of a system with the goal of increasing reliability of the system, usually in the form of a backup or fail-safe
Monte Carlo simulation
Monte Carlo methods use random sampling many times to solve problems or estimate values. Instead of solving equations directly, they run multiple simulations with random inputs to find an approximate answer
(whatever he did in Excel)
Frequentist vs. Subjectivist Probability
Frequentists define probability through repeated trials, while subjectivists (Bayesians) view it as a degree of belief based on prior knowledge.
Deterministic vs. Probabilistic Models
Some events have clear causes, while others involve complex, unpredictable chains.
Man, Technology, and Environment (MTE) System
Risk emerges from interactions between human actions, technological systems, and the environment.
