Publications

Tikare, Veena T.; Abdeljawad, Fadi F.; Silling, Stewart A.; van Bloemen Waanders, Bart G.

Abstract not provided.

Silling, Stewart A.; Tikare, Veena T.; van Bloemen Waanders, Bart G.; Turner, Daniel Z.

Abstract not provided.

Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering

Rodgers, Theron R.; Mitchell, John A.; Tikare, Veena T.

Welding is one of the most wide-spread processes used in metal joining. However, there are currently no open-source software implementations for the simulation of microstructural evolution during a weld pass. Here we describe a Potts Monte Carlo based model implemented in the SPPARKS kinetic Monte Carlo computational framework. The model simulates melting, solidification and solid-state microstructural evolution of material in the fusion and heat-affected zones of a weld. The model does not simulate thermal behavior, but rather utilizes user input parameters to specify weld pool and heat-affect zone properties. Weld pool shapes are specified by Bézier curves, which allow for the specification of a wide range of pool shapes. Pool shapes can range from narrow and deep to wide and shallow representing different fluid flow conditions within the pool. Surrounding temperature gradients are calculated with the aide of a closest point projection algorithm. The model also allows simulation of pulsed power welding through time-dependent variation of the weld pool size. Example simulation results and comparisons with laboratory weld observations demonstrate microstructural variation with weld speed, pool shape, and pulsed-power.

Rodgers, Theron R.; Johnson, Kyle J.; Brown, Judith A.; Abdeljawad, Fadi F.; Madison, Jonathan D.; Mitchell, John A.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Rodgers, Theron R.; Madison, Jonathan D.; Mitchell, John A.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Tikare, Veena T.; Castillo, Andrew R.; Bond, Stephen D.; Madison, Jonathan D.; Mitchell, John A.; Rodgers, Theron R.

Abstract not provided.

Tikare, Veena T.; Weck, Philippe F.; Mitchell, John A.

In this report, we present a thermodynamic-­based model of hydride precipitation in Zr-based claddings. The model considers the state of the cladding immediately following drying, after removal from cooling-pools, and presents the evolution of precipitate formation upon cooling as follows: The pilgering process used to form Zr-based cladding imparts strong crystallographic and grain shape texture, with the basal plane of the hexagonal α-Zr grains being strongly aligned in the rolling-­direction and the grains are elongated with grain size being approximately twice as long parallel to the rolling direction, which is also the long axis of the tubular cladding, as it is in the orthogonal directions.

Mitchell, John A.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Dalton Transactions

Weck, Philippe F.; Kim, Eunja; Tikare, Veena T.; Mitchell, John A.

The elastic properties and mechanical stability of zirconium alloys and zirconium hydrides have been investigated within the framework of density functional perturbation theory. Results show that the lowest-energy cubic Pn3m polymorph of δ-ZrH1.5 does not satisfy all the Born requirements for mechanical stability, unlike its nearly degenerate tetragonal P42/mcm polymorph. Elastic moduli predicted with the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximations suggest that mechanical stability of α-Zr, Zr-alloy and Zr-hydride polycrystalline aggregates is limited by the shear modulus. According to both Pugh's and Poisson's ratios, α-Zr, Zr-alloy and Zr-hydride polycrystalline aggregates can be considered ductile. The Debye temperatures predicted for γ-ZrH, δ-ZrH1.5 and ε-ZrH2 are D = 299.7, 415.6 and 356.9 K, respectively, while D = 273.6, 284.2, 264.1 and 257.1 K for the α-Zr, Zry-4, ZIRLO and M5 matrices, i.e. suggesting that Zry-4 possesses the highest micro-hardness among Zr matrices.

Mitchell, John A.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Tikare, Veena T.; Weck, Philippe F.; Schultz, Peter A.; Clark, Blythe C.

This report documents the development, demonstration and validation of a mesoscale, microstructural evolution model for simulation of zirconium hydride {delta}-ZrH{sub 1.5} precipitation in the cladding of used nuclear fuels that may occur during long-term dry storage. While the Zr-based claddings are manufactured free of any hydrogen, they absorb hydrogen during service, in the reactor by a process commonly termed ‘hydrogen pick-up’. The precipitation and growth of zirconium hydrides during dry storage is one of the most likely fuel rod integrity failure mechanisms either by embrittlement or delayed hydride cracking of the cladding. While the phenomenon is well documented and identified as a potential key failure mechanism during long-term dry storage (NUREG/CR-7116), the ability to actually predict the formation of hydrides is poor. The model being documented in this work is a computational capability for the prediction of hydride formation in different claddings of used nuclear fuels. This work supports the Used Fuel Disposition Research and Development Campaign in assessing the structural engineering performance of the cladding during and after long-term dry storage. This document demonstrates a basic hydride precipitation model that is built on a recently developed hybrid Potts-phase field model that combines elements of Potts-Monte Carlo and the phase-field models. The model capabilities are demonstrated along with the incorporation of the starting microstructure, thermodynamics of the Zr-H system and the hydride formation mechanism.

Littlewood, David J.; Tikare, Veena T.; Bignell, John B.

Abstract not provided.

Rao, Rekha R.; O'Hern, Timothy J.; Domino, Stefan P.; Wyatt, Nicholas B.; Tikare, Veena T.; Erickson, Lindsay C.; Shelden, Bion S.; Brotherton, Christopher M.; Cipiti, Benjamin B.; Pawlowski, Roger P.; Noble, David R.; Jove Colon, Carlos F.; Moffat, Harry K.; Roberts, Christine C.; Nemer, Martin N.

Abstract not provided.

Littlewood, David J.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Littlewood, David J.; Bignell, John B.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Holm, Elizabeth A.; Tikare, Veena T.; Plimpton, Steven J.

Abstract not provided.

Littlewood, David J.; Tikare, Veena T.

Abstract not provided.

Madison, Jonathan D.; Tikare, Veena T.; Holm, Elizabeth A.; Plimpton, Steven J.

Abstract not provided.

Plimpton, Steven J.; Battaile, Corbett C.; Chandross, M.; Holm, Elizabeth A.; Thompson, Aidan P.; Tikare, Veena T.; Webb, Edmund B.; Zhou, Xiaowang Z.

The kinetic Monte Carlo method and its variants are powerful tools for modeling materials at the mesoscale, meaning at length and time scales in between the atomic and continuum. We have completed a 3 year LDRD project with the goal of developing a parallel kinetic Monte Carlo capability and applying it to materials modeling problems of interest to Sandia. In this report we give an overview of the methods and algorithms developed, and describe our new open-source code called SPPARKS, for Stochastic Parallel PARticle Kinetic Simulator. We also highlight the development of several Monte Carlo models in SPPARKS for specific materials modeling applications, including grain growth, bubble formation, diffusion in nanoporous materials, defect formation in erbium hydrides, and surface growth and evolution.

Proposed for publication in Journal of Materials Research.

Bell, Nelson S.; Tikare, Veena T.; Headley, Thomas J.; Provencio, P.N.

Abstract not provided.