An Evolutionary Algorithm for Spatial Discretization Optimization
Abstract
A novel evolutionary algorithm for spatial discretization meshing using a Cartesian grid for radiation transport simulations is proposed. The generated Cartesian grid is used by ADVANTG to generate weight windows for MCNP. The algorithm was tested on the Ueki-35 benchmark and obtained a figure of merit 2.68, 3.39, and 2.25 times higher in the average, best, and worst cases respectively than the reference mesh provided with ADVANTG for the benchmark. The algorithm produced counter-intuitive solutions from a neutron shielding perspective that outperformed the reference mesh in all 15 trials. Additionally, the algorithm revealed that from the adjoint perspective, accurate geometric representation of the polyethylene collimator was more significant that then shield itself when generating optimal weight windows.
Recommended Citation
E. T. Norris and X. Liu, "An Evolutionary Algorithm for Spatial Discretization Optimization," Progress in Nuclear Energy, vol. 97, pp. 220 - 230, Elsevier, May 2017.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2017.01.012
Department(s)
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Keywords and Phrases
Mesh generation; Optimization; ADVANTG; Co-evolution; MCNP; Mesh; Spatial discretizations; Evolutionary algorithms; Figure of merit
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0149-1970
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2017 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 May 2017
Comments
This work is supported by the Nuclear Engineering Graduate Fellowship Grant from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC-HQ-13-G-38-0026).