Analyzing cognitive errors using a dynamic crew-simulation model

The analysis of human errors in a human reliability analysis requires the consideration of the context for human behavior. By simulating the evolution of the human-machine system, the crew model dynamically treats the behavior of the human operators within the context of an evolving plant response. The implemented model treats the evolution of the system of operating crew and plant in steam generator tube rupture scenarios. The treatment of cognitive errors in this implementation and in a model being developed within this simulation framework is discussed. The work in progress extends the model to generalize the response of the crews and emphasizes modeling the manner in which errors arise generally in cognitive processes rather than simulating situation-specific errors.<>