Review of recent activities with MOOSE, an open-source finite element and finite volume multi-fidelity simulation framework

Abstract

Modeling and simulation are an increasing part of engineering and design. This is undoubtedly driven by the high costs of constructing experimental facilities, but also enabled by the exponential increase in computing power over the last several decades, which allows computational models to be closer than ever to reality. One of the main drivers for the development of MOOSE, the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment, is supporting advanced nuclear reactor simulations. A challenging aspect of modeling advanced nuclear reactors is the plurality of physics involved, including neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and fuel performance. These physics are all coupled and must be solved together. The United States (U.S.) national laboratories have been developing MOOSE, an open-source multiphysics framework, since its inception at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in 2008. This framework enables seamless coupling of multiphysics simulations and facilitates the implementation of new physics and material governing laws. It is continuously expanded with novel numerical methods and new physics modules. Numerous applications, developed within the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories, academia, and industry, including outside of nuclear engineering, have been created leveraging MOOSE to study specialized physics problems. International collaborations are welcome on this open-source modeling and simulation project.