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Comparison of integration methods for the solution of nonlinear reactor dynamics problems through the use of finite elements

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7213818

A comparison of numerical methods utilized by the finite element technique for solving a nonlinear nuclear reactor dynamics problem was conducted. Using the Crank-Nicolson, DVOGER (Gear) and Implicit Gear methods, the results showed the Implicit to be the superior method investigated. This is based on the fact that all three methods yielded the same steady state solutions; but, the Implicit Gear method used significantly less CPU time and comparable storage to Crank-Nicolson. This was particularly apparent as the degrees of freedom were increased. In addition, the transient solution in all cases was better than that obtained in Crank-Nicolson and compared favorably to that of Gear's method.

Research Organization:
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
7213818
Report Number(s):
AD-A-035862
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English