Enhanced verification test suite for physics simulation codes

Abstract

Executive SummaryThis document discusses problems with which to augment, in quantity and in quality, the existing tri-laboratory suite of verification problems used by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The purpose of verification analysis is demonstrate whether the numerical results of the discretization algorithms in physics and engineering simulation codes provide correct solutions of the corresponding continuum equations. The key points of this document are:• Verification deals with mathematical correctness of the numerical algorithms in a code, while validation deals with physical correctness of a simulation in a regime of interest. This document is about verification.• The current seven-problem Tri-Laboratory Verification Test Suite, which has been used for approximately five years at the DOE WP laboratories, is limited.• Both the methodology for and technology used in verification analysis have evolved and been improved since the original test suite was proposed.• The proposed test problems are in three basic areas:1. Hydrodynamics 2. Transport processes 3. Dynamic strength-of-materials• For several of the proposed problems we provide a "strong sense verification benchmark," consisting of (i) a clear mathematical statement of the problem with sufficient information to run a computer simulation, (ii) an explanation of how the code result and benchmark solution are to be evaluated, and (iii) a description of the acceptance criterion for simulation code results.

A review of predictive nonlinear theories for multiscale modeling of heterogeneous materials

“…MMS has been utilized extensively in the nonlinear solid mechanics community [315,316]. A suite of verification problems for physics simulation codes used by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and LLNL has played a fundamental role in the V&V community [317]. A comprehensive discussion about V&V, its purpose and importance, as well as historical perspectives have been featured in many papers and monographs [229,[318][319][320][321].…”