Applications of Integral Benchmark Data

The International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) and the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) provide evaluated integral benchmark data that may be used for validation of reactor physics/nuclear criticality safety analytical methods and data, nuclear data testing, advanced modeling and simulation, and safety analysis licensing activities. The handbooks produced by these programs are used in over 30 countries. Five example applications are presented in this paper: (a) use of IRPhEP data in uncertainty analyses and cross-section adjustment, (b) uncertainty evaluation methods for reactor core design at Japan Atomic Energy Agency using reactor physics experimental data, (c) application of benchmarking data to a broad range of criticality safety problems, (d) cross-section data testing with ICSBEP benchmarks, and (e) use of the International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments to support the power industry.