ThermalContactLWRAction

Description

The ThermalContactLWRAction action sets up the set of models used to enforce thermal contact across two surfaces. See the description, example use, and parameters on the ThermalContactLWR system documentation page.

Multiple contact pairs

Users may need to set up LWR thermal contact between multiple contact pairs. For that application, users can provide arrays of primary and secondary boundary names which will match consecutively to define thermal contact pairs. The same thermal input parameters will be applied to all contact pairs defined in the action input.

[ThermalContact<<<{"href": "../../syntax/Modules/HeatTransfer/ThermalContact/index.html"}>>>]
  [thermal_contact]
    type = GasGapHeatTransfer
    variable = temp
    primary = '3 30'
    secondary = '2 20'
    roughness_coef = 1.5
    roughness_primary = 2e-6
    roughness_secondary = 2e-6
  []
[]

Input Parameters

variableThe variable for thermal contact
C++ Type:NonlinearVariableName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The variable for thermal contact

Required Parameters

active__all__ If specified only the blocks named will be visited and made active
Default:__all__
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:If specified only the blocks named will be visited and made active
appended_property_nameName appended to material properties to make them unique
C++ Type:std::string
Controllable:No
Description:Name appended to material properties to make them unique
conductivity_namethermal_conductivityThe name of the MaterialProperty associated with conductivity ("thermal_conductivity" in the case of heat conduction).
Default:thermal_conductivity
C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the MaterialProperty associated with conductivity ("thermal_conductivity" in the case of heat conduction).
conductivity_primary_namethermal_conductivityThe name of the MaterialProperty associated with conductivity ("thermal_conductivity" in the case of heat conduction).
Default:thermal_conductivity
C++ Type:MaterialPropertyName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the MaterialProperty associated with conductivity ("thermal_conductivity" in the case of heat conduction).
contact_coef10The leading coefficient on the solid-solid conduction relation (1/sqrt(m)).
Default:10
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The leading coefficient on the solid-solid conduction relation (1/sqrt(m)).
contact_pressureThe contact pressure variable.
C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The contact pressure variable.
cylinder_axis_point_1Start point for line defining cylindrical axis
C++ Type:libMesh::VectorValue<double>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Start point for line defining cylindrical axis
cylinder_axis_point_2End point for line defining cylindrical axis
C++ Type:libMesh::VectorValue<double>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:End point for line defining cylindrical axis
displacementsThe displacements appropriate for the simulation geometry and coordinate system
C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The displacements appropriate for the simulation geometry and coordinate system
emissivity_primary1The emissivity of the primary surface
Default:1
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The emissivity of the primary surface
emissivity_secondary1The emissivity of the secondary surface
Default:1
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The emissivity of the secondary surface
execution_order_group0The execution of postprocessors. Change only for axial gas communication
Default:0
C++ Type:int
Controllable:No
Description:The execution of postprocessors. Change only for axial gas communication
external_pressure0Input external pressure in Pascals.
Default:0
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Input external pressure in Pascals.
gap_conductance_modelDEFAULTGap conductance model: DEFAULT=computed according to the original model;TOPTAN=computed according to Toptan et al., 2020
Default:DEFAULT
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:DEFAULT, TOPTAN
Controllable:No
Description:Gap conductance model: DEFAULT=computed according to the original model;TOPTAN=computed according to Toptan et al., 2020
gap_geometry_typeGap calculation type.
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:PLATE, CYLINDER, SPHERE
Controllable:No
Description:Gap calculation type.
gap_typeGapValueAuxA string representing the Moose object that will be used for computing the gap conductivity.
Default:GapValueAux
C++ Type:std::string
Controllable:No
Description:A string representing the Moose object that will be used for computing the gap conductivity.
gas_mixtureThe name of the VectorPostprocessor that will compute the gas mixture.
C++ Type:VectorPostprocessorName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the VectorPostprocessor that will compute the gas mixture.
gas_releasedThe postprocessor(s) that will give the gas released.
C++ Type:std::vector<PostprocessorName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The postprocessor(s) that will give the gas released.
gas_thermal_conductivity_modelDEFAULTFill gas thermal conductivity model: DEFAULT=traditional model from MATPRO-11, =f(T));ADVANCED=model from Toptan et al. (2019), =f(T,P)
Default:DEFAULT
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:DEFAULT, ADVANCED
Controllable:No
Description:Fill gas thermal conductivity model: DEFAULT=traditional model from MATPRO-11, =f(T));ADVANCED=model from Toptan et al. (2019), =f(T,P)
gascond_scalef1Scaling factor for gas conductivity.
Default:1
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Scaling factor for gas conductivity.
inactiveIf specified blocks matching these identifiers will be skipped.
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:If specified blocks matching these identifiers will be skipped.
initial_fractions1.0 Fractions of initial fill gas associated with initial_gas_types. These may be given as Function names. Fractions must sum to one.
Default:1.0
C++ Type:std::vector<FunctionName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Fractions of initial fill gas associated with initial_gas_types. These may be given as Function names. Fractions must sum to one.
initial_gas_typesHeInitial fill gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
Default:He
C++ Type:MultiMooseEnum
Options:He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, H2O
Controllable:No
Description:Initial fill gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
initial_molesThe Postprocessor that will give the initial moles of gas.
C++ Type:PostprocessorName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The Postprocessor that will give the initial moles of gas.
jump_distance_modelDIRECTJump distance model: DIRECT=specify distances directly;LANNING=computed as a function of gas properties (Lanning and Hahn, 1975)TOPTAN=computed as a function of gas properties (Toptan et al., 2019)
Default:DIRECT
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:DIRECT, LANNING, TOPTAN
Controllable:No
Description:Jump distance model: DIRECT=specify distances directly;LANNING=computed as a function of gas properties (Lanning and Hahn, 1975)TOPTAN=computed as a function of gas properties (Toptan et al., 2019)
jumpdistance_primary0The temperature jump distance for the primary surface (m).
Default:0
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The temperature jump distance for the primary surface (m).
jumpdistance_secondary0The temperature jump distance for the secondary surface (m).
Default:0
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The temperature jump distance for the secondary surface (m).
layer_thicknessThe layer thickness variable computed in LayerThickness auxiliary kernel
C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The layer thickness variable computed in LayerThickness auxiliary kernel
max_gap1e+06A maximum gap (denominator) size
Default:1e+06
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:A maximum gap (denominator) size
meyer_hardness6.8e+08The Meyer hardness of the softer material (Pa).
Default:6.8e+08
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The Meyer hardness of the softer material (Pa).
meyer_hardness_modelDIRECTMeyer hardness model of the softer material: DIRECT=specify hardness directly;MATPRO=computed as a function of temperature
Default:DIRECT
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:DIRECT, MATPRO
Controllable:No
Description:Meyer hardness model of the softer material: DIRECT=specify hardness directly;MATPRO=computed as a function of temperature
min_gap1e-06A minimum gap (denominator) size
Default:1e-06
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:A minimum gap (denominator) size
min_gap_order0Order of the Taylor expansion below min_gap
Default:0
C++ Type:unsigned int
Controllable:No
Description:Order of the Taylor expansion below min_gap
output_gas_mixtureFalseFlag for outputting the gas mixture as a VectorPostprocessor. Output will occur if this option is set to true and 'csv = true' in the Outputs block.
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Flag for outputting the gas mixture as a VectorPostprocessor. Output will occur if this option is set to true and 'csv = true' in the Outputs block.
outputsVector of output names where you would like to restrict the output of variable(s) associated with this object
C++ Type:std::vector<OutputName>
Controllable:No
Description:Vector of output names where you would like to restrict the output of variable(s) associated with this object
penalty1000The penalty used in the residual and Jacobian calculations when using the GapPerfectConductance model
Default:1000
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The penalty used in the residual and Jacobian calculations when using the GapPerfectConductance model
plenum_pressureThe name of the plenum_pressure postprocessor value.
C++ Type:PostprocessorName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the plenum_pressure postprocessor value.
refab_fractionsFractions of refab gas associated with refab_gas_types.
C++ Type:std::vector<std::vector<double>>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Fractions of refab gas associated with refab_gas_types.
refab_gas_typesRefab gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
C++ Type:std::vector<std::vector<std::string>>
Controllable:No
Description:Refab gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
refab_timeThe time at which the plenum pressure must be reinitialized due to fuel rod refabrication.
C++ Type:std::vector<double>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The time at which the plenum pressure must be reinitialized due to fuel rod refabrication.
refab_typeThe type of refabrication. 0 for instantaneous reset of gas, 1 for reset with constant fraction until next refabrication.
C++ Type:std::vector<unsigned int>
Controllable:No
Description:The type of refabrication. 0 for instantaneous reset of gas, 1 for reset with constant fraction until next refabrication.
released_fractions0.153 0.847 Fractions of released gas associated with released_gas_types.
Default:0.153 0.847
C++ Type:std::vector<std::vector<double>>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Fractions of released gas associated with released_gas_types.
released_gas_typesKr Xe Released gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
Default:Kr Xe
C++ Type:std::vector<std::vector<std::string>>
Controllable:No
Description:Released gas types: He Ne Ar Kr Xe H2 N2 O2 CO CO2 H2O
roughness_coef1.5The coefficient for the roughness summation.
Default:1.5
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The coefficient for the roughness summation.
roughness_primary1e-06The roughness of the primary surface (m).
Default:1e-06
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The roughness of the primary surface (m).
roughness_secondary1e-06The roughness of the secondary surface (m).
Default:1e-06
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The roughness of the secondary surface (m).
secondary_sideTrueWhether the boundary corresponds to the secondary side in mechanical contact.
Default:True
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Whether the boundary corresponds to the secondary side in mechanical contact.
sphere_originOrigin for sphere geometry
C++ Type:libMesh::VectorValue<double>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Origin for sphere geometry
thermal_accommodation_modelDEFAULTThermal accommodation model: DEFAULT=traditional model from Lanning and Hahn (1975);TOPTAN=model from Toptan et al. (2019b).
Default:DEFAULT
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:DEFAULT, TOPTAN
Controllable:No
Description:Thermal accommodation model: DEFAULT=traditional model from Lanning and Hahn (1975);TOPTAN=model from Toptan et al. (2019b).
use_automatic_differentiationFalseFlag to use automatic differentiation (AD) objects when possible.
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Flag to use automatic differentiation (AD) objects when possible.
warningsFalseWhether to output warning messages concerning nodes not being found
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Whether to output warning messages concerning nodes not being found

Optional Parameters

check_boundary_restrictedTrueWhether to check for multiple element sides on the boundary for the boundary restricted, element aux variable set up for thermal contact enforcement. Setting this to false will allow contribution to a single element's elemental value(s) from multiple boundary sides on the same element (example: when the restricted boundary exists on two or more sides of an element, such as at a corner of a mesh
Default:True
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Whether to check for multiple element sides on the boundary for the boundary restricted, element aux variable set up for thermal contact enforcement. Setting this to false will allow contribution to a single element's elemental value(s) from multiple boundary sides on the same element (example: when the restricted boundary exists on two or more sides of an element, such as at a corner of a mesh
save_inThe Auxiliary Variable to (optionally) save the boundary flux in
C++ Type:std::vector<AuxVariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The Auxiliary Variable to (optionally) save the boundary flux in

Diagnostics And Debug Parameters

control_tagsAdds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:Adds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.
kennard_coefficient5756Nominal leading model coefficient for LANNING.
Default:5756
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Nominal leading model coefficient for LANNING.

Advanced Parameters

gap_aux_typeGapValueAuxA string representing the Moose object that will be used for computing the gap size
Default:GapValueAux
C++ Type:std::string
Controllable:No
Description:A string representing the Moose object that will be used for computing the gap size
mapped_primary_gap_offsetOffset to gap distance mapped from primary side
C++ Type:VariableName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Offset to gap distance mapped from primary side
secondary_gap_offsetOffset to gap distance from secondary side
C++ Type:VariableName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Offset to gap distance from secondary side

Gap Size Parameters

gap_conductance0Gap conductance
Default:0
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Gap conductance
gap_conductivity1The thermal conductivity of the gap material
Default:1
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The thermal conductivity of the gap material
gap_conductivity_functionThermal conductivity of the gap material as a function. Multiplied by gap_conductivity.
C++ Type:FunctionName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Thermal conductivity of the gap material as a function. Multiplied by gap_conductivity.
gap_conductivity_function_variableVariable to be used in gap_conductivity_function in place of time
C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Variable to be used in gap_conductivity_function in place of time

Gap Conductivity Parameters

normal_smoothing_distanceDistance from edge in parametric coordinates over which to smooth contact normal
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Distance from edge in parametric coordinates over which to smooth contact normal
normal_smoothing_methodMethod to use to smooth normals (edge_based|nodal_normal_based)
C++ Type:std::string
Controllable:No
Description:Method to use to smooth normals (edge_based|nodal_normal_based)
tangential_toleranceTangential distance to extend edges of contact surfaces
C++ Type:double
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Tangential distance to extend edges of contact surfaces

Gap Edge And Edge Normal Smoothing Parameters

orderFIRSTThe finite element order
Default:FIRST
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:CONSTANT, FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH
Controllable:No
Description:The finite element order
quadratureFalseWhether or not to use quadrature point based gap heat transfer
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Whether or not to use quadrature point based gap heat transfer

Integration Parameters

primaryThe list of boundary IDs referring to primary sidesets
C++ Type:std::vector<BoundaryName>
Controllable:No
Description:The list of boundary IDs referring to primary sidesets
secondaryThe list of boundary IDs referring to secondary sidesets
C++ Type:std::vector<BoundaryName>
Controllable:No
Description:The list of boundary IDs referring to secondary sidesets

Gap Surface Definition Parameters

(test/tests/gap_heat_transfer/gap_heat_transfer_multiple_pairs.i)

[GlobalParams]
  emissivity_primary = 0
  emissivity_secondary = 0
  displacements = 'displ_x displ_y displ_z'
[]

[Mesh]
  [mesh]
    type = FileMeshGenerator
    file = multiple_pairs.e
  []
[]

[Functions]

  [disp]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0 1 2'
    y = '0 0 1'
  []

  [temp]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0   1   2'
    y = '100 200 200'
  []
  [time_function]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0    1.9  1.99 1.999 1.9999 2.0'
    y = '1e-1 1e-1 1e-2 1e-3  1e-4   1e-4'
  []
[]

[Variables]
  [displ_x]
    order = FIRST
    family = LAGRANGE
  []

  [displ_y]
    order = FIRST
    family = LAGRANGE
  []

  [displ_z]
    order = FIRST
    family = LAGRANGE
  []

  [temp]
    order = FIRST
    family = LAGRANGE
    initial_condition = 100
  []
[]

[Physics/SolidMechanics/QuasiStatic]
  [pellets]
    add_variables = false
    strain = FINITE
  []
[]

[Kernels]
  [heat]
    type = HeatConduction
    variable = temp
  []
[]

[BCs]
  [move_right]
    type = FunctionDirichletBC
    boundary = '1 2 10 20'
    variable = displ_x
    function = disp
  []

  [fixed_x]
    type = DirichletBC
    boundary = '3 4 30 40'
    variable = displ_x
    value = 0
  []

  [fixed_y]
    type = DirichletBC
    boundary = '1 2 3 4 10 20 30 40'
    variable = displ_y
    value = 0
  []

  [fixed_z]
    type = DirichletBC
    boundary = '1 2 3 4 10 20 30 40'
    variable = displ_z
    value = 0
  []

  [temp_far_left]
    type = FunctionDirichletBC
    boundary = '1 10'
    variable = temp
    function = temp
  []

  [temp_far_right]
    type = DirichletBC
    boundary = '4 40'
    variable = temp
    value = 100
  []
[]

[ThermalContact]
  [thermal_contact]
    type = GasGapHeatTransfer
    variable = temp
    primary = '3 30'
    secondary = '2 20'
    roughness_coef = 1.5
    roughness_primary = 2e-6
    roughness_secondary = 2e-6
  []
[]

[Materials]

  [stiffStuff]
    type = ComputeIsotropicElasticityTensor
    youngs_modulus = 1e6
    poissons_ratio = 0.3
  []
  [fuel_elastic_stress]
    type = ComputeFiniteStrainElasticStress
  []
  [heat]
    type = HeatConductionMaterial
    block = '1 2 3 4'
    specific_heat = 1.0
    thermal_conductivity = 1.0
  []
  [density]
    type = StrainAdjustedDensity
    block = '1 2 3 4'
    strain_free_density = 1
  []
[]

[Preconditioning]
  [SMP]
    type = SMP
    full = true
  []

[]
[Executioner]
  type = Transient

  solve_type = 'PJFNK'
  petsc_options_iname = '-ksp_gmres_restart -pc_type -pc_hypre_type -pc_hypre_boomeramg_max_iter'
  petsc_options_value = '201                hypre    boomeramg      4'
  line_search = 'none'

  nl_abs_tol = 1e-6
  nl_rel_tol = 1e-8

  l_tol = 1e-3
  l_max_its = 100

  start_time = 0.0
  dt = 1e-2
  end_time = 2.0
  num_steps = 22
  [TimeStepper]
    type = FunctionDT
    function = time_function
  []
[]

[Postprocessors]
  [temp_left]
    type = SideAverageValue
    boundary = '2 20'
    variable = temp
    execute_on = 'initial timestep_end'
  []

  [temp_right]
    type = SideAverageValue
    boundary = '3 30'
    variable = temp
    execute_on = 'initial timestep_end'
  []

  [flux_left]
    type = SideDiffusiveFluxIntegral
    variable = temp
    boundary = '2 20'
    diffusivity = thermal_conductivity
  []

  [flux_right]
    type = SideDiffusiveFluxIntegral
    variable = temp
    boundary = '3 30'
    diffusivity = thermal_conductivity
  []
[]

[Outputs]
  exodus = true
[]

Description
Multiple contact pairs
Input Parameters