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VVUQ 2023 > Program > Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems

The ASME VVUQ 30 Subcommittee on Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification in Computational Nuclear System Thermal Fluids Behavior is supporting a series of benchmark problems designed to study the scope and key ingredients of the VVUQ 30 Subcommittee's charter. This will be achieved by means of the following:

Single-Jet Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Numeric Model Validation Benchmark Problems

The Single-Jet Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Numeric Model Validation benchmark problem was first introduced as Benchmark Problem #2 at the 2019 V&V Symposium and involves simulating a single-jet and plume for single-jet experiments at different Reynolds numbers. During the 2019 V&V Symposium and 2020 V&V Symposium, the focus was on isothermal single jets.

Since the 2021 V&V Symposium, submissions for Benchmark Problem #2 have been open for the heated (non-isothermal) single-jet experiment in addition to the isothermal single jet experiment.

Since the 2022 VVUQ Symposium, submissions have been open for Benchmark Problem #3, which involves a new heated (non-isothermal) single-jet experiment with conjugate heat transfer in a new facility.

Details for each benchmark problem are provided below. If you would like to participate in either benchmark problem at the 2023 VVUQ Symposium, please submit your technical presentation abstract for the Challenge Problem Workshops and Panel Sessions track by January 20, 2023.

If you have any questions and/or are interested in participating, please email the ASME VVUQ 30 Subcommittee Staff Engineer, Michelle Pagano, at PaganoM@asme.org.

Benchmark Problems:

  • Single Non-Isothermal Jet within the Upper Plenum with Conjugate Heat Transfer (Benchmark Problem #3)
    The Facility Description includes geometry and inlet conditions for the new facility. Participants are expected to perform modeling & simulation and submit results prior to seeing the experimental data.

  • Isothermal Single Jet Experiment and/or Non-Isothermal Single Jet Experiment within the Upper Plenum (Benchmark Problem #2)
    The Thermal-Hydraulic Research Laboratory website includes the facility description (test geometry and boundary conditions), experimental data, and a technical publication.

Objective of the Benchmark Problems
Using a select set of data from the single-jet experiments (provided by ASME and organizers), apply the VVUQ practices necessary to ensure an appropriately validated computational solution is obtained. The VVUQ 30 Subcommittee encourages participants from the CFD community to use whatever VVUQ practices they would normally use in the context of preparing a document which they might submit to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for review.

Protocol for Participating in the Benchmark Problems
The participating organizations or individuals who would like to take part in the benchmark exercise are requested to perform their VVUQ assessment using the standard protocol and procedures accepted by their engineering communities and sponsoring organizations.

It is noted that this benchmark effort is not intended as a competition among companies or individuals, but rather is intended as a demonstration of the state of the practice in using and applying computational tools to support U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or other regulatory reviews.

The outcomes of this benchmark effort include lessons learned, review of VVUQ methods, and understanding of the effectiveness of VVUQ methods to support modeling and simulation reviews. The results of the various participants will be summarized and compared in a subsequent report.