Looking for MCNP tutorials for a beginner

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To learn MCNP for research, beginners are encouraged to start with the new MCNP Primer by J Kenneth Shultis and Amir A Bahadori, which is highly recommended. The MCNP Guide by Dr. Andy Boston is also valuable, particularly for understanding real event simulations. While the MCNP 6.3 manual is comprehensive, it can be lengthy and complex, so consulting it is advised before other versions. Users should be prepared for a challenging learning curve, as the program's intricacies can be confusing at first. Additionally, resources like the Python library CardSharp can assist in generating MCNP input decks, making it easier for newcomers to get started.
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wanted to learn the MCNP for my research, but need some help, don't know nothing about that.
There some step by step tutorial in youtube or website focus on that.
Wanna make one analysis in one HTGR reactor in the case
 
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Welcome to Physics Forums @jorgenbill

There is a new version of the MCNP Primer by J Kenneth Shultis and Amir A Bahadori and there is simply no reason to start anywhere else.

Edit - Archived copy of the Primer here.

I also rate the MCNP Guide by Dr Andy Boston. Especially as that covers the simulation of 'real' events like counts on a neutron detector, which after a full reading of the manual I didn't understand until I read this guide.

If you need specific stuff the manual for 6.3 is good and public, but a long read. I would consult this before any other version of the manual even if your MCNP version is not 6.3

A few warnings. MCNP is a program written over a period of 50ish years by smart people for the use of smart people and it's going to feel crazy and confusing at the start. The methods are very clever, often not obvious and the error messages frequently don't seem to identify to the cause of the problem. Ride the wave of chaos, try to enjoy discovering how to make the program work and some of the methods it uses.

Also there are a number of people in this forum with a good grasp of the program. So if you get stuck, do ask for help.

Good luck!
 
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Is there any tutorials that might be helpful to start with?
 
Welcome to Physics Forums @Jaddyd,

I'm a little shocked that I don't seem to have a copy of the new version of the primer and with archive down neither document works.

Edit - InternetArchive is up but the front page isn't working for me. Wayback is working and I've added a link. So both documents can be viewed.
 
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I would like to bring attention to a Python library called CardSharp for generating MCNP input decks which can be especially useful for MCNP beginners: https://github.com/pnnl/CardSharpForMCNP.
It has comprehensive support for geometry and materials. There is some support for sources and tallies for detector models. Cards/features that are not yet supported can be easily inserted as raw strings. Comprehensive examples are provided.

Full disclosure: I am the developer of the library.
 
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nikhild said:
Full disclosure: I am the developer of the library.
Welcome to PF. Thanks for the disclosure, and thanks for the useful pointer. :smile:
 
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