Abstract: An improved basket structure for use within a nuclear fuel transportation cask is disclosed herein. The improved basket structure comprises an array of structurally independent rod-receiving cells formed from four individual side members wherein each member terminates into a flange of enlarged thickness along one of its lengthwise edges. The flange includes a slot that is complementary in shape to the free edge of other side members so that cells may be formed by interfitting the free edges of the side members with the complementary slots in the flanges. The flanges are thick enough so that the flanges of adjacent cells may be welded together with no appreciable warpage. When the basket is fully assembled, the flanges form spacing blocks between the adjacent cells which maintain subcriticality in the nuclear fuel contained therein.

Abstract: A modular nuclear fuel assembly rack constructed of an array of identical cells, each cell constructed of a plurality of identical flanged plates. The unique assembly of the plates into a rigid rack provides a cellular compartment for nuclear fuel assemblies and a cavity between the cells for accepting neutron absorbing materials thus allowing a closely spaced array. The modular rack size can be easily adapted to conform with available storage space. U-shaped flanges at the edges of the plates are nested together at the intersection of four cells in the array. A bar is placed at the intersection to lock the cells together.