SNAP/RADTRAD Frequently Asked Questions

SNAP/RADTRAD is designed to be platform independent, pure-Java, plug-in architecture, which can be installed on any computer and operating system. SNAP is easily installed on any system that has a Java 7.0 or later JRE. The software is packaged in APT's Java installation software which simplifies the installation process and provides platform specific launchers for Java applications.
The SNAP/RADTRAD software (including the RADTRAD-AC) installation requires about 300 MB of disk space. The plotting tools software package, AptPlot, installation requires about 190 MB of disk space.
Yes, SNAP/RADTRAD is designed to be platform independent, pure-Java, plug-in architecture, which can be installed on any system that has a Java 7.0 or later JRE. The software is packaged in APT's Java installation software which simplifies the installation process and provides platform specific launchers for Java applications.
Verify that installation directions on the Applied Programming Technology, Inc. Download SNAP web page and in Section 2.3 of the SNAP/RADTRAD: Description of Models and Methods, were correctly followed. If the installation error still persists then:
Refer to the Release Notes to learn more about the most recent versions of SNAP/RADTRAD. The code consists of three parts which are the RADTRAD Analytical Code (RADTRAD-AC) the Symbolic Nuclear Analysis Package (SNAP) graphic user interface (GUI) and the SNAP/RADTRAD plugin. Additionally, SNAP/RADTRAD is supported by the plotting tools software package, AptPlot.
Individuals interested in obtaining this version of the RADTRAD-AC should check out the the “Join RAMP” link on the U.S. NRC RAMP website.
No, the version of the code on the RAMP website is only the RADTRAD-AC and it does not include SNAP GUI or the plotting tools software package, AptPlot. The SNAP GUI with the SNAP/RADTRAD plugin and the AptPlot program is available from the Applied Programming Technology, Inc. (APT) website.
To obtain a copy of the SNAP GUI and plotting tools software package, AptPlot, users must go to Applied Programming Technology, Inc. (APT) website.
For US Federal, State and Local government agencies there is no fee to obtain the RADTRAD-AC. For all other users the fee varies based upon their designation category, see the table located at the “Join RAMP” link on the RAMP website.
There is no fee obtain the SNAP GUI and the plotting tools software package AptPlot. However, to obtain the SNAP GUI users must register on the APT website to receive an account (user name and password). AptPlot is a free “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) 2D plotting tools software package.
No, RADTRAD users are required to complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for their copy of the software. The NDA states that the user agrees not to share their copy with any third party without obtaining prior written permission from the NRC.
No, the NDA allows for the user to list multiple users of the software at their facility/site on the NDA.
RADTRAD is the acronym for the RADionuclide, Transport, Removal And Dose estimation computer software. RADTRAD was developed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a licensing analysis code used to show compliance with nuclear plant siting criteria for the site boundary radiation doses at the Exclusion Area Boundary (EAB) and the Low Population Zone (LPZ) and to assess the occupational radiation doses in the control room (CR) and /or Emergency Offsite Facility for various loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA) and non-LOCA design basis accidents (DBAs). RADTRAD uses a combination of tables and numerical models of source term reduction phenomena to determine the time-dependent dose at the CR, EAB and LPZ for given DBA scenarios.
The Symbolic Nuclear Analysis Package (SNAP) consists of a suite of integrated applications designed to simplify the process of performing engineering analysis. SNAP is built on the Common Application Framework for Engineering Analysis (CAFEAN) which provides a highly flexible framework for creating and editing input for engineering analysis codes as well as extensive functionality for submitting, monitoring, and interacting with the codes.
AptPlot is a free “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) 2D plotting tool designed for creating production quality plots of numerical data and performing data analysis. AptPlot contains extensive scripting and GUI support for the manipulation and analysis of data sets.
SNAP/RADTRAD is one of the tools used by the NRC Offices of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and New Reactors (NRO) to perform independent assessments of licensee applications and license amendments for existing plants (modifications to plant design or technical specification) pertaining to the siting criteria for offsite and control room doses following a maximum credible accident.
No, SNAP/RADTRAD is used by many international government agencies and is an important computer code in the US NRC’s Radiation Protection Computer Code Analysis and Maintenance Program (RAMP).
Yes, the SNAP/RADTRAD Forum is available to all visitors of the RAMP website (via “read-only” access). However, only RAMP members can post to the forum. Forum topics include: General Usage Questions, Error (Bug) Reports, and Modeling Questions.
Yes, RAMP members can get training information (including presentations, SNAP/RADTRAD Workbook with exercises and short-length training videos) by going to the SNAP/RADTRAD Training & Presentation Materials page on the RAMP website.
Non-RAMP members should review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page and the SNAP/RADTRAD Error (Bug) Reports Forum for the error message. Non-RAMP members have “read-only” access to the forum and cannot post new topics.
RAMP members have several tools available to help them troubleshoot and resolve SNAP/RADTRAD error messages and code crashes. To help triage issues, follow these steps:
  1. Users experiencing error messages or code crashes should check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for the error message.
  2. If not listed, log into the RAMP website and search the SNAP/RADTRAD Error (Bug) Reports Forum for the error message.
  3. Finally, users may also submit a help request on the SNAP/RADTRAD Request Support page.
Yes, the SNAP/RADTRAD contains a Help file which provides explanations of the SNAP GUI and RADTRAD plugin screens and default values for data entry fields. The technical information regarding the models and methods used by the RADTRAD-AC to perform calculations can be found in the SNAP/RADTRAD User Guide and in the SNAP/RADTRAD Technical Documents section on the RAMP website.
No, there is no single contact phone number for the SNAP/RADTRAD software. Since SNAP/RADTRAD development and distribution is a collaborative effort between the U.S. NRC RAMP and RADTRAD development teams, users may receive efficient and timely customer support by using the Request Support page.