Abstract
Advanced modeling and simulation methods are being developed as part of the US Department of Energy sponsored Nuclear Energy Modeling and Simulation Hub called CASL (Consortium for Advanced Simulation of LWRs). The key participants of the CASL team include Oak Ridge National Laboratory (lead), Idaho National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, University of Michigan, Electric Power Research Institute, Tennessee Valley Authority and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. One of the key objectives of the CASL program is to develop multi-physics methods and tools which evaluate neutronic, thermal-hydraulic, structural mechanics and nuclear fuel rod performance in rod bundles to support power uprates, increased burnup/cycle length and life extension for US nuclear plants.