Structural Design of Nuclear Shelters Using the Computer Program CADRE

In the design of nuclear shelters, numerous critical factors must be taken into account, including engineering considerations (architectural and civil), site selection, prevailing meteorological conditions, the extent of burial, air circulation systems, supplies, and the thicknesses of walls, among others. The findings of this study advocate for the construction of nuclear shelters below ground level to achieve maximal protective efficacy. An underground shelter effectively mitigates the impact of overpressure on the roof slab and completely eliminates the effects of dynamic pressure. Additionally, this approach reduces radiation exposure, which not only simplifies the overall design process but also lowers material costs in comparison to shelters that are partially or entirely above ground. To assess the shielding performance of various materials, two distinct types of concrete were evaluated through the use of the CADRE computational program. In parallel, the BMIX program was employed to calculate critical parameters required for the radiation shielding analysis. This integrated methodology enabled the determination of the optimal thicknesses of walls needed to attenuate the dose of radioactivity from a small scale nuclear burst (about 1000 distant away from point zero) to an acceptable level of 2 mrem/h for the individuals inside the shelter.