MCNP and Abaqus Based Reactor Multiphysics (MARM) Training

Background
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has engaged Vedas Tech LLC (Vedas Engineering) to provide specialized training in multiphysics due to the unavailability of suitable off-the-shelf training materials.

The goal of this contract is to develop necessary training materials and tutorials for a workshop that covers advanced topics in nuclear, mechanical, and simulation engineering.

Work Details
The training program consists of three distinct modules:

Module 1: Steady State Fundamentals Creating 'Friendly' Meshes includes:
- Mesh creation via Abaqus and generic external CAD software.
- Discussion on the pros and cons of meshes.
- Criticality and source definitions.
- Trade-offs between Abaqus and neutronics.
- Techniques for bypassing Monte Carlo neutronics analysis.
- Integration with other transport codes and first-principles approaches.
- Limitations of non-Monte Carlo neutronics routes.
- Visualization of Neutronics and V&V for the UM approach, including catching red flags, debugging, and benchmarks.

Module 2: Steady State Coupled Analysis Coupled Radiation/HT Analysis in Abaqus includes:
- Theoretical foundations.
- Neutron and gamma heating on components.
- Integration of heat pipes, gas flow, and heat exchangers into analyses.
- Identification of cautions and red flags in coupled analysis.
- Component level structures analysis and radiation-induced swelling in coupled T/M analysis.

Module 3: Transient Analysis Reactor Kinetics Integration includes:
- Concepts related to startup, shutdown, and accidents in reactor kinetics vs. dynamics.
- Introduction to subroutines for reactor dynamics including point-kinetics and higher order methods.
- Analysis of transients with heat removal and other reactor phenomena.