A review of fuel performance modelling

Nuclear fuel performance codes or models exist for many fuel types and are used for a variety of purposes ranging from design optimization, experiment planning and interpretation to safety analysis. In the current review, we focus on the most relevant simulation tools for the nuclear industry and disregard those that were developed only for very specific applications. As a result, we consider only codes for LWR fuel, since they represent the dominant form for civil energy production. \nWe start by reviewing the simulation tools available in the different parts of the world. This is followed by a historical summary of the main developments in each aspect of the codes, ranging from thermal , mechanical and chemical performance to neutronics modelling and microstructural changes. In the next section we review the current trends that include the applications to new fuel types as well as the implementation of advanced modelling techniques, code coupling for multi-physics applications and finally uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. In the final section of the review, we summarise discuss the strategy for code verification and validation along with the corresponding data and briefly enumerate the remaining challenges.