Getting Started

Before getting started, note how to navigate this website:

• The Documentation menu gives instructions on how to use the VTB and gives some tutorials.

• The Models menu lists the models available in the VTB:

  • By Filter filters the available models by several criteria, such as reactor type, code used, or simulation type.

  • By Index provides several manually maintained lists of the models, such as by reactor type.

To get started with the Virtual Test Bed (VTB), follow these steps:

1. Register for the VTB.

2. Install git. The VTB is an open-source git repository and is hosted on Github. If it is not already installed on your computer, install it; see here for example.

   Some models require git-lfs as well, which is used for storing very large files such as large meshes. If your model of interest does not require git-lfs, then feel free to skip this step. To install git-lfs, see here.

3. Download the VTB repository. Choose a download location on your computer (here, we will add the VTB repository in the ~/projects/ directory), and then clone the VTB in your terminal as follows:

   
   cd ~/projects
   git clone [email protected]:idaholab/virtual_test_bed.git
   

   This will create a new directory ~/projects/virtual_test_bed/ to mirror the VTB repository hosted on Github.

4. Browse the VTB models using the "Models" menu.

5. Obtain the code(s) of interest. Each model page should list the codes needed.

6. Continue to Running Models to learn how to run VTB models.