Fast reactor shielding-design studies and benchmark analysis

The fast reactor shield design involves study of neutron transport through thick shields which is inherently difficult, even for numerical computations. The calculational methods adopted for shield design studies and the errors associated with them are discussed. The need for shielding benchmark experiments and analyses are outlined. The experiments carried out in different countries and the outcome of their analyses are also discussed. The experience with shield design studies and the efforts made to obtain bias factors for Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) design through studies of a few benchmarks are described. (author). 18 refs