Doctoral Dissertations
Abstract
"A new solution technique utilizing genetic algorithms has been applied to the Bonner sphere neutron spectrum unfolding problem. Genetic algorithms are part of a relatively new field of "evolutionary" solution techniques that mimic living systems with computer simulated "chromosome" solutions. The solutions mate and mutate to create better solutions. Genetic algorithms sample very large search spaces efficiently making them ideally suited for the unfolding problem. Several unfolding techniques have been published in the literature; however, the genetic algorithm technique has yet to be explored. The genetic algorithm technique requires no a priori spectral information.
Small defined and underdefined problems have been examined. Genetic algorithm results are compared with results obtained from independent rigorous problem evaluations. The genetic algorithm technique was found to work quickly and effectively and showed great promise for application to larger problems.
Large forty-seven group problems were next analyzed using the genetic algorithm unfolding technique. Several forty-seven group benchmark problems, considered representative of radiation protection environments, have been evaluated using the newly developed UMRGA code which implements the genetic algorithm unfolding technique. The results compare well with results obtained using other well established unfolding codes. UMRGA appears to be a superior technique in the absence of a priori data - it does not rely on "lucky" guesses of input spectra. Calculated personnel doses associated with the unfolded spectra match benchmark values within a few percent. The technique developed here can be applied to the foil activation unfolding problem and in other applications where ill-behaved or underspecified matrices are encountered"-- Abstract, p. iv
Advisor(s)
Bolon, Albert E., 1939-2006
Edwards, Ray
Committee Member(s)
Tsoulfanidis, Nicholas
Miller, William H.
Riggins, David W.
Department(s)
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Degree Name
Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Publication Date
Spring 1998
Pagination
xi, 223 pages; 1 CD-ROM
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 25 and 74)
Rights
© 1998 David Wayne Freeman, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Thesis Number
T 7464
Print OCLC #
41441535
Recommended Citation
Freeman, David Wayne, "Genetic algorithms - a new technique for solving the neutron spectrum unfolding problem" (1998). Doctoral Dissertations. 1282.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/1282
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