Incorporating dynamic 3D simulation into PRA

Through continued advancement in computational resources, development that was previously done by trial and error production is now performed through computer simulation. These virtual physical representations have the potential to provide accurate and valid modeling results and are being used in many different technical fields. Risk assessment now has the opportunity to use 3D simulation to improve analysis results and insights, especially for external event analysis. However, the static nature of traditional PRA methods hinders the direct use of time dependent dynamic simulations. This paper first briefly discusses how 3D simulation methods can be used to improve the modeling approach. In addition, we show how a state based PRA model, based on discrete event simulation, is equivalent and in some cases better than results from traditional fault tree evaluation methods. Finally, how to successfully incorporate physics based 3D simulation events at runtime to enhance overall results.