XCP-8: Verification and Analysis

Our research enables large-scale data analysis and visualization capabilities

Challenging and assessing the accuracy, credibility, robustness, and performance of multi-physics simulation codes

The Verification and Analysis group (XCP-8) impacts National Security by

• A hierarchical approach to code verification and validation
  • Using a range of experimental data, from Laboratory experiments that measure single physics phenomena to complex, multiphysics systems
  • Focusing verification efforts on a 'white box' approach, where the numerical behavior of the code is explored
• Conducting assessments of sensitivities and uncertainties of models as implemented in simulation codes as well as variability and bias in experimental data
• Analyses using codes and complex data streams to provide answers of importance to National Security

We work in close partnership with the experimental community, modeling community, simulation code teams, the model implementation teams, and our customers to ensure that our activities are technically relevant, scientifically grounded, and achieve maximum impact on programmatic goals. The group supports the national goals of NNSA Defense Programs in predictive capability assessment and integrated computational and experimental science.

Some key research topic areas include:

• Advanced code and solution verification methods, especially extensions to the method of manufactured solutions
• Propagation of uncertainty across physical regimes and complexity for the purposes of code validation
• Estimating bounds on physical uncertainties for multiphysics calculations
• Development of tools and methods to support suites of verification and validation tests
• Inference of verification and small-scale validation results to understand code and model
  credibility for integral multiphysics calculations
• Interpretation of simulations of complex systems to provide support for decision-making

Our technical focus areas include:

• Hydrodynamics
• Material strength and damage
• Equation of state
• Reactive flow
• High-energy density physics
• Instabilities and turbulence
• Radiation transport and criticality

A micrometeorite impact simulation.