Methodology for phenomenological code assessment with integral test data

Abstract

The use of codes in the licensing process requires a rigorous validation process that can be accomplished by means of qualitative and quantitative assessment. In thermal hydraulics, this validation has to be performed at different levels, from separate effects to the integral response of a plant design. Even though the quantitative assessment is preferred, for complex phenomenology involving the behaviour of the whole plant system this approach is difficult and the assessment is usually performed through qualitative expert judgement. In the present article, a methodology is proposed that combines the use of qualitative and quantitative adequacy assessment for the simulation of experiments at integral test facilities. The method makes use of statistical quantification by means of Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty calculations.