ANSWERS

MCBEND - A Monte Carlo Program for General Radiation Transport

MCBEND is a powerful Monte Carlo software tool for general radiation transport analysis for shielding and dosimetry analysis.

The Software

MCBEND is a general purpose radiation transport code that can calculate neutron, gamma-ray and charged particle transport in sub-critical systems; coupling of the different radiation types is also possible. MCBEND models the transport of individual particles accurately by using a continuous energy representation of nuclear data. A flexible geometry modelling package allows exact representation of any geometry and includes the ability to import geometry from CAD files (evaluation feature). In effect the code simulates what happens in practice, and performs a numerical experiment of the system under study. This is known as the Monte Carlo Method.

In addition to its powerful geometry modelling package, MCBEND has versatile source description options and powerful automatic acceleration options for maximum productivity. Nuclear data libraries exist for MCBEND from a variety of sources including UKNDL, JEFF, ENDF/B-VI and JENDL.

MCBEND is validated for an extensive range of applications. The validation database covers many of the materials and geometries that are encountered in the nuclear industry and is subject to ongoing review and enhancement.

Support in the use of the code and its application is available from our dedicated help-desk, providing direct access to our shielding and dosimetry expertise.

Strong Customer Focus

ANSWERS® has a strong global customer base, with clients in more than 30 countries around the world, including the USA, China, Japan and across Europe.

Interaction with our customers, understanding their requirements and listening to their feedback, is an important part of our mission to continuously develop and improve our software.

Customers have access to dedicated hotline support, by telephone and e-mail, and also have access to regular training courses, with bespoke/on-site training available if required.

Benefits

  • MCBEND offers unrivalled geometry modelling and acceleration options for cost effective and accurate analysis
  • MCBEND is recognised as an effective and reliable analysis tool in safety case submissions to regulators
  • MCBEND is continually maintained and developed to meet our customers’ operational needs

Model Verification Code

Visual Workshop is a tool for the MCBEND analyst to display and verify model geometry, create and modify input data, run calculations and view results.

The 2D and 3D ray trace displays use the same routines to generate the images as the analysis codes used to run the Monte-Carlo calculations. This gives the analyst a high level of confidence that the model being displayed is an exact representation of the model used for the calculation.

The 2D and 3D ray trace displays are interactive and ray traced in real time allowing the analyst to easily navigate the model. The display can automatically detect and indicate errors in the model such as undefined or multiply defined volumes. Moving the mouse pointer over the model provides feedback on model co-ordinates and creation of measurement lines enables production of images with dimensions for inclusion in reports.

Additional MCBEND features can be displayed using overlays; these include Source bodies, Importance mesh, Scoring mesh, Forced Flight interfaces and particle tracks.

Visual Workshop provides a queuing tool and a run monitor for running calculations. Looping calculations can be run in parallel on multi-core machines. Output files can be viewed and graphs and plots of results generated.

The 3D wire frame displays the geometry bodies used to construct the model. This supports meshed results display in the form of 3D contour plots, 2D contour plots and 2D cell plot displays.

What can MCBEND be used for?

MCBEND has been successfully applied to such problems as:

  • Shield design and optimisation for reactor plant
  • Interpretation and analysis of measurements on operating plant and in experimental facilities
  • New and spent fuel transportation both within countries and between countries
  • Neutron damage at reactor pressure vessels and other reactor components
  • Design studies for fissile material transport containers
  • Decommissioning preparation and planning
  • Shield design for waste storage facilities
  • Reprocessing facilities
  • Fusion devices
  • Fuel storage facilities support
  • Prediction and calibration of nuclear instruments
  • Geophysical logging tool analysis and operations support
  • Prediction of personnel dose levels
  • Calculation of radiation-induced material changes
  • Shield design for irradiation plant
  • Sterilisation of products by irradiation
  • Medical physics treatment planning

What hardware is MCBEND available on?

MCBEND is available for both Windows and Linux. See the system requirements here

Where do I find out more?

For a more detailed view have a look at a few technical papers.

For further information contact the ANSWERS Customer Support Team.


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