Computational solution verification and validation applied to a thermal model of a ruggedized instrumentation package

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2495/CMEM130021· OSTI ID:1248825

Scott, Sarah Nicole ^[1]; Templeton, Jeremy Alan ^[1]; Hough, Patricia Diane ^[1]; Ruthruff, Joseph R. ^[1]; Rosario, Michael V. ^[2]; Peterson, Jerrod P. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)

This study details a methodology for quantification of errors and uncertainties of a finite element heat transfer model applied to a Ruggedized Instrumentation Package (RIP). The proposed verification and validation (V&V) process includes solution verification to examine errors associated with the code's solution techniques, and model validation to assess the model's predictive capability for quantities of interest. The model was subjected to mesh resolution and numerical parameters sensitivity studies to determine reasonable parameter values and to understand how they change the overall model response and performance criteria. To facilitate quantification of the uncertainty associated with the mesh, automatic meshing and mesh refining/coarsening algorithms were created and implemented on the complex geometry of the RIP. Automated software to vary model inputs was also developed to determine the solution’s sensitivity to numerical and physical parameters. The model was compared with an experiment to demonstrate its accuracy and determine the importance of both modelled and unmodelled physics in quantifying the results' uncertainty. An emphasis is placed on automating the V&V process to enable uncertainty quantification within tight development schedules.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1248825
• Report Number(s): SAND--2014-0011J; 532911
• Journal Information: WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation, Journal Name: WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation Vol. 55; ISSN 1746-4064
• Publisher: WIT Press
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
heat transfer
mess resolution
numerical parameters
uncertainty quantification
validation
verification