• Title/Summary/Keyword: Monte Carlo codes

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Investigating Heavy Water Zero Power Reactors with a New Core Configuration Based on Experiment and Calculation Results

  • Nasrazadani, Zahra;Salimi, Raana;Askari, Afrooz;Khorsandi, Jamshid;Mirvakili, Mohammad;Mashayekh, Mohammad
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.49 no.1
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    • pp.1-5
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    • 2017
  • The heavy water zero power reactor (HWZPR), which is a critical assembly with a maximum power of 100 W, can be used in different lattice pitches. The last change of core configuration was from a lattice pitch of 18-20 cm. Based on regulations, prior to the first operation of the reactor, a new core was simulated with MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle)-4C and WIMS (Winfrith Improved Multigroup Scheme)-CITATON codes. To investigate the criticality of this core, the effective multiplication factor ($K_{eff}$) versus heavy water level, and the critical water level were calculated. Then, for safety considerations, the reactivity worth of $D_2O$, the reactivity worth of safety and control rods, and temperature reactivity coefficients for the fuel and the moderator, were calculated. The results show that the relevant criteria in the safety analysis report were satisfied in the new core. Therefore, with the permission of the reactor safety committee, the first criticality operation was conducted, and important physical parameters were measured experimentally. The results were compared with the corresponding values in the original core.

Wind-excited stochastic vibration of long-span bridge considering wind field parameters during typhoon landfall

  • Ge, Yaojun;Zhao, Lin
    • Wind and Structures
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.421-441
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    • 2014
  • With the assistance of typhoon field data at aerial elevation level observed by meteorological satellites and wind velocity and direction records nearby the ground gathered in Guangzhou Weather Station between 1985 and 2001, some key wind field parameters under typhoon climate in Guangzhou region were calibrated based on Monte-Carlo stochastic algorithm and Meng's typhoon numerical model. By using Peak Over Threshold method (POT) and Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD), Wind field characteristics during typhoons for various return periods in several typical engineering fields were predicted, showing that some distribution rules in relation to gradient height of atmosphere boundary layer, power-law component of wind profile, gust factor and extreme wind velocity at 1-3s time interval are obviously different from corresponding items in Chinese wind load Codes. In order to evaluate the influence of typhoon field parameters on long-span flexible bridges, 1:100 reduced-scale wind field of type B terrain was reillustrated under typhoon and normal conditions utilizing passive turbulence generators in TJ-3 wind tunnel, and wind-induced performance tests of aero-elastic model of long-span Guangzhou Xinguang arch bridge were carried out as well. Furthermore, aerodynamic admittance function about lattice cross section in mid-span arch lib under the condition of higher turbulence intensity of typhoon field was identified via using high-frequency force-measured balance. Based on identified aerodynamic admittance expressions, Wind-induced stochastic vibration of Xinguang arch bridge under typhoon and normal climates was calculated and compared, considering structural geometrical non-linearity, stochastic wind attack angle effects, etc. Thus, the aerodynamic response characteristics under typhoon and normal conditions can be illustrated and checked, which are of satisfactory response results for different oncoming wind velocities with resemblance to those wind tunnel testing data under the two types of climate modes.

Sensitivity and uncertainty quantification of neutronic integral data in the TRIGA Mark II research reactor

  • Makhloul, M.;Boukhal, H.;Chakir, E.;El Bardouni, T.;Lahdour, M.;Kaddour, M.;Ahmed, Abdulaziz;Arectout, A.;El Yaakoubi, H.
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.54 no.2
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    • pp.523-531
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    • 2022
  • In order to study the sensitivity and the uncertainty of the Moroccan research reactor TRIGA Mark II, a model of this reactor has been developed in our ERSN laboratory for use with the N-Particle MCNP Monte Carlo transport codes (version 6). In this article, the sensitivities of the effective multiplication factor of this reactor are evaluated using the ENDF/B-VII.0, ENDF/B-VII.1 and JENDL-4.0 libraries and in 44 energy groups, for the cross sections of the fuel (U-235 and U-238) and the moderator (H-1 and O-16). However, the quantification of the uncertainty of the nuclear data is performed using the nuclear code NJOY99 for the generation and processing of covariance matrices. On the one hand, the highest uncertainty deviations, calculated using the ENDFB-VII.1 and JENDL4.0 evaluations, are 2275, 386 and 330 pcm respectively for the reactions U235(n, f), $ U_{235}(n\bar{\nu})$ and H1(n, γ). On the other hand, these differences are very small for the neutron reactions of O-16 and U-238. Regarding the neutron spectra, in CT-mid plane, they are very close for the three evaluations (ENDF/B-VII.0, ENDF/B-VII.1 and JENDL-4.0). These spectra present two peaks (thermal and fission) around the energies 0.05 eV and 1 MeV.

Time Dependent Evaluation of Corrosion Free Life of Concrete Tunnel Structures Based on the Reliability Theory (해저 콘크리트 구조물의 신뢰성 이론에 의한 시간 의존적 내구수명 평가)

  • Pack, Seung Woo;Jung, Min Sun
    • Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.142-154
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    • 2011
  • This study predicted the probability of corrosion initiation of reinforced concrete tunnel boxes structures using the Monte Carlo Simulation. For the inner wall and outer wall in the tunnel boxes, exposed to airborne chloride ion and seawater directly respectively, statistical values of parameters like diffusion coefficient D, surface chloride content $C_s$, cover depth c, and the chloride threshold level $C_{lim}$ were examined from experiment or literature review. Their average values accounted for $3.77{\times}10^{-12}m^2/s$, 3.0% by weight of cement, 94.7mm and 45.5mm for outer wall and inner wall, respectively, and 0.69% by weight of cement for D, $C_s$, c, and $C_{lim}$, respectively. With these parametric values, the distribution of chloride contents at rebar with time and the probability of corrosion initiation of the tunnel boxes, inner wall and outer wall, was examined by considering time dependency of chloride transport. From the examination, the histogram of chloride contents at rebar is closer to a gamma distribution, and the mean value increases with time, while the coefficient of variance decreases with time. It was found that the probability of corrosion initiation and the time to corrosion were dependent on the time dependency of chloride transport. Time independent model predicted time to corrosion initiation of inner wall and outer wall as 8 and 12 years, respectively, while 178 and 283 years of time to corrosion was calculated by time dependent model for inner wall and outer wall, respectively. For time independent model, the probability of corrosion at 100 years of exposure for inner wall and outer wall was ranged 59.5 and 95.5%, respectively, while time dependent model indicated 2.9 and 0.2% of the probability corrosion, respectively. Finally, impact of $C_{lim}$, including values specified in current codes, on the probability of corrosion initiation and corrosion free life is discussed.

Resistance Factor and Target Reliability Index Calculation of Static Design Methods for Driven Steel Pipe Pile in Gwangyang (광양지역에 적합한 항타강관말뚝의 목표신뢰성지수 및 저항계수 산정)

  • Kim, Hyeon-Tae;Kim, Daehyeon;Lim, Jae-Choon;Park, Kyung-Ho;Lee, Ik-Hyo
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.16 no.12
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    • pp.8128-8139
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    • 2015
  • Recently, the necessity of developing the load and resistance factor design(LRFD) for soft ground improvement method has been raised, since the limit state design is requested as international technical standard for the foundation of structures. In this study, to develop LRFD codes for foundation structures in Korea, target reliability index and resistance factor for static bearing capacity of driven steel pipe piles were calibrated in the framework of reliability theory. The 16 data(in Gwangyang) and the 57 data(Korea Institute of Construction Technology, 2008) sets of static load test and soil property tests conducted in the whole domestic area were collected along with available subsurface investigation results. The resistance bias factors were evaluated for the tow static design methods by comparing the representative measured bearing capacities with the expected design values. Reliability analysis was performed by two types of advanced methods : the First Order Reliability Method (FORM), and the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method using resistance bias factor statistics. As a result, when target reliability indices of the driven pipe pile were selected as 2.0, 2.33, 2.5, resistance factor of two design methods for SPT N at pile tip less than 50 were evaluated as 0.611~0.684, 0.537~0.821 respectively, and STP N at pile tip more than 50 were evaluated as 0.545~0.608, 0.643~0.749 respectively. The result from this research will be useful for developing various foundations and soil structures under LRFD.

A Customized Cancer Radiation Treatment Planning Simulation (ccRTPs) System via Web and Network (웹과 네트워크 기술을 이용한 환자 맞춤식 암치료 계획 시뮬레이션 시스템)

  • Khm, O-Yeon
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.144-152
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    • 2006
  • The telemedicine using independent client-server system via networks can provide high quality normalized services to many hospitals, specifically to local/rural area hospitals. This will eventually lead to a decreased medical cost because the centralized institute can handle big computer hardware systems and complicated software systems efficiently and economically, Customized cancer radiation treatment planning for each patient Is very useful for both a patient and a doctor because it makes possible for the most effective treatment with the least possible dose to patient. Radiation planners know that too small a dose to the tumor can result in recurrence of the cancer, while too large a dose to healthy tissue can cause complications or even death. The best solution is to build an accurate planning simulation system to provide better treatment strategies based on each patient's computerized tomography (CT) image. We are developing a web-based and a network-based customized cancer radiation therapy simulation system consisting of four Important computer codes; a CT managing code for preparing the patients target data from their CT image files, a parallel Monte Carlo high-energy beam code (PMCEPT code) for calculating doses against the target generated from the patient CT image, a parallel linear programming code for optimizing the treatment plan, and scientific data visualization code for efficient pre/post evaluation of the results. The whole softwares will run on a high performance Beowulf PC cluster of about 100-200 CPUs. Efficient management of the hardware and software systems is not an easy task for a hospital. Therefore, we integrated our system into the client-sewer system via network or web and provide high quality normalized services to many hospitals. Seamless communication with doctors is maintained via messenger function of the server-client system.

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Probabilistic Optimization for Improving Soft Marine Ground using a Low Replacement Ratio (해상 연약지반의 저치환율 개량에 대한 확률론적 최적화)

  • Han, Sang-Hyun;Kim, Hong-Yeon;Yea, Geu-Guwen
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.485-495
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    • 2016
  • To reinforce and improve the soft ground under a breakwater while using materials efficiently, the replacement ratio and leaving periods of surcharge load are optimized probabilistically. The results of Bayesian updating of the random variables using prior information decrease uncertainty by up to 39.8%, and using prior information with more samples results in a sharp decrease in uncertainty. Replacement ratios of 15%-40% are analyzed using First Order Reliability Method and Monte Carlo simulation to optimize the replacement ratio. The results show that replacement ratios of 20% and 25% are acceptable at the column jet grouting area and the granular compaction pile area, respectively. Life cycle costs are also compared to optimize the replacement ratios within allowable ranges. The results show that a range of 20%-30% is the most economical during the total life cycle. This means that initial construction cost, maintenance cost and failure loss cost are minimized during total life cycle. Probabilistic analysis for leaving periods of shows that three months acceptable. Design optimization with respect to life cycle cost is important to minimize maintenance costs and retain the performance of the structures for the required period. Therefore, more case studies that consider the maintenance costs of soil structures are necessary to establish relevant design codes.

Generalization of Galois Linear Feedback Register (갈로이 선형 궤환 레지스터의 일반화)

  • Park Chang-Soo;Cho Gyeong-Yeon
    • Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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    • v.43 no.1 s.307
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2006
  • This thesis proposes Arithmetic Shift Register(ASR) which can be used as pseudo random number generator. Arithmetic Shift. Register is defined as progression that multiplies random number D , not 0 or 1 at initial value which is not 0, and it is represented as ASR-D in this thesis. Irreducible polynomial that t which makes $'D^k=1'$ satisfies uniquely as $'t=2^n-1'$ over. $GF(2^n)$ is the characteristic polynomial of ASR-D , and the cycle of Arithmetic Shift Register has maximum cycle as $'2^n-1'$. Galois Linear Feedback Shift Register corresponds to ASR-2-1. Therefore, Arithmetic Shift Register proposed in this thesis generalizes Galois Linear Feedback Shift Register. Linear complexity of ASR-D over$GF(2^n)$ is $'n{\leq}LC{\leq}\frac{n^2+n}{2}'$ and in comparison with existing Linear Feedback Shift Register stability is high. The Software embodiment of arithmetic shift register proposed in this thesis is efficient than that of existing Linear Shift Register and hardware complexity is equal. Arithmetic shift register proposed in this thesis can be used widely in various fields such as cipher, error correcting codes, Monte Carlo integral, and data communication etc along with existing linear shift register.

Evaluation of the CNESTEN's TRIGA Mark II research reactor physical parameters with TRIPOLI-4® and MCNP

  • H. Ghninou;A. Gruel;A. Lyoussi;C. Reynard-Carette;C. El Younoussi;B. El Bakkari;Y. Boulaich
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.55 no.12
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    • pp.4447-4464
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    • 2023
  • This paper focuses on the development of a new computational model of the CNESTEN's TRIGA Mark II research reactor using the 3D continuous energy Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4 (T4). This new model was developed to assess neutronic simulations and determine quantities of interest such as kinetic parameters of the reactor, control rods worth, power peaking factors and neutron flux distributions. This model is also a key tool used to accurately design new experiments in the TRIGA reactor, to analyze these experiments and to carry out sensitivity and uncertainty studies. The geometry and materials data, as part of the MCNP reference model, were used to build the T4 model. In this regard, the differences between the two models are mainly due to mathematical approaches of both codes. Indeed, the study presented in this article is divided into two parts: the first part deals with the development and the validation of the T4 model. The results obtained with the T4 model were compared to the existing MCNP reference model and to the experimental results from the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR). Different core configurations were investigated via simulations to test the computational model reliability in predicting the physical parameters of the reactor. As a fairly good agreement among the results was deduced, it seems reasonable to assume that the T4 model can accurately reproduce the MCNP calculated values. The second part of this study is devoted to the sensitivity and uncertainty (S/U) studies that were carried out to quantify the nuclear data uncertainty in the multiplication factor keff. For that purpose, the T4 model was used to calculate the sensitivity profiles of the keff to the nuclear data. The integrated-sensitivities were compared to the results obtained from the previous works that were carried out with MCNP and SCALE-6.2 simulation tools and differences of less than 5% were obtained for most of these quantities except for the C-graphite sensitivities. Moreover, the nuclear data uncertainties in the keff were derived using the COMAC-V2.1 covariance matrices library and the calculated sensitivities. The results have shown that the total nuclear data uncertainty in the keff is around 585 pcm using the COMAC-V2.1. This study also demonstrates that the contribution of zirconium isotopes to the nuclear data uncertainty in the keff is not negligible and should be taken into account when performing S/U analysis.

GPU Based Feature Profile Simulation for Deep Contact Hole Etching in Fluorocarbon Plasma

  • Im, Yeon-Ho;Chang, Won-Seok;Choi, Kwang-Sung;Yu, Dong-Hun;Cho, Deog-Gyun;Yook, Yeong-Geun;Chun, Poo-Reum;Lee, Se-A;Kim, Jin-Tae;Kwon, Deuk-Chul;Yoon, Jung-Sik;Kim3, Dae-Woong;You, Shin-Jae
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2012.08a
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    • pp.80-81
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    • 2012
  • Recently, one of the critical issues in the etching processes of the nanoscale devices is to achieve ultra-high aspect ratio contact (UHARC) profile without anomalous behaviors such as sidewall bowing, and twisting profile. To achieve this goal, the fluorocarbon plasmas with major advantage of the sidewall passivation have been used commonly with numerous additives to obtain the ideal etch profiles. However, they still suffer from formidable challenges such as tight limits of sidewall bowing and controlling the randomly distorted features in nanoscale etching profile. Furthermore, the absence of the available plasma simulation tools has made it difficult to develop revolutionary technologies to overcome these process limitations, including novel plasma chemistries, and plasma sources. As an effort to address these issues, we performed a fluorocarbon surface kinetic modeling based on the experimental plasma diagnostic data for silicon dioxide etching process under inductively coupled C4F6/Ar/O2 plasmas. For this work, the SiO2 etch rates were investigated with bulk plasma diagnostics tools such as Langmuir probe, cutoff probe and Quadruple Mass Spectrometer (QMS). The surface chemistries of the etched samples were measured by X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer. To measure plasma parameters, the self-cleaned RF Langmuir probe was used for polymer deposition environment on the probe tip and double-checked by the cutoff probe which was known to be a precise plasma diagnostic tool for the electron density measurement. In addition, neutral and ion fluxes from bulk plasma were monitored with appearance methods using QMS signal. Based on these experimental data, we proposed a phenomenological, and realistic two-layer surface reaction model of SiO2 etch process under the overlying polymer passivation layer, considering material balance of deposition and etching through steady-state fluorocarbon layer. The predicted surface reaction modeling results showed good agreement with the experimental data. With the above studies of plasma surface reaction, we have developed a 3D topography simulator using the multi-layer level set algorithm and new memory saving technique, which is suitable in 3D UHARC etch simulation. Ballistic transports of neutral and ion species inside feature profile was considered by deterministic and Monte Carlo methods, respectively. In case of ultra-high aspect ratio contact hole etching, it is already well-known that the huge computational burden is required for realistic consideration of these ballistic transports. To address this issue, the related computational codes were efficiently parallelized for GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) computing, so that the total computation time could be improved more than few hundred times compared to the serial version. Finally, the 3D topography simulator was integrated with ballistic transport module and etch reaction model. Realistic etch-profile simulations with consideration of the sidewall polymer passivation layer were demonstrated.

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