MCNP analyses of criticality calculation results

Careful assessment of the results of a calculation by the code itself can reduce mistakes in the problem setup and execution. MCNP has over four hundred error messages that inform the user of FATAL or WARNING errors that have been discovered during the processing of just the input file. The latest version, MCNP4A, now performs a self assessment of the calculated results to aid the user in determining the quality of the Monte Carlo results. MCNP4A, which was released to RSIC in October 1993, contains new analyses of the MCNP Monte Carlo calculation that provide simple user WARNINGs for both criticality and fixed source calculations. The goal of the new analyses is to provide the MCNP criticality practitioner with enough information in the output to assess the validity of the k{sub eff} calculation and any associated tallies. The results of these checks are presented in the k{sub eff} results summary page, several k{sub eff} tables and graphs, and tally tables and graphs. Plots of k{sub eff} at the workstation are also available as the problem is running or in a postprocessing mode to assess problem performance and results