Geometry and Mesh Generation for Nuclear Reactor Simulations

The application of predictive simulations is critical to the effective design and safe operation of complex systems such as aircraft, cars and nuclear reactors. Advances in numerical analysis methods and large-scale parallel computing has provided industry and government the opportunity to apply predictive simulations to address many design challenges. However, the ability to effectively perform these simulations requires they be executed in an automated manner employing methods that can ensure the reliability of the results obtained. To reach the goal of automated massively parallel simulations requires the development of new methods for the fully automatic generation and control of the domain discretizations, the so-called meshes, as needed by the ad- vanced numerical methods. These automated mesh generation and control methods must operate directly on the design geometry and execute in a scalable manner on the massively parallel com- puters performing the simulation. This project will develop components that support the automated parallel execution of complex system simulations that fill the gaps in the currently available capabilities. This project will de- velop and deliver components that provide: Direct access to design geometry to support mesh generation and other simulation needs. Automatic mesh generators that can fully mesh complex systems with specific consideration of the mesh generation requirements of advanced nuclear reactor simulation codes. Anisotropic mesh adaptation procedures to support the optimal control of meshes to ensure simulation reliability with respect to mesh discretization errors. Functional interfaces to support the integration of the geometry and meshing components pro- vided and demonstrations of integration with selected advanced numerical methods codes. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The project will provide industry, government labs and universities an effective means to take full advantage of existing parallel simulation software. It is only through the development and introduction of these geometry and meshing technologies that industry can broadly integrate high performance parallel simulations into their design processes. High levels of simulation automa- tion and discretization error control will allow design engineers to take full advantage of reliable simulations in the execution of innovative design processes.