BENCHmark April 2006
Speed is of the Essence
 It seems that everyone involved with the use of simulation has
their own reference point relating to the rapid advances that have
been made in the development of computer hardware. For me, it might
be the recollection of the excitement which greeted the purchase of
a 16KB memory extension for my first computer, or to cringe with
horror at the meshes I was forced to use in the early stages of my
career. In the twenty years or so since NAFEMS was created, the
increases in affordable computing power have been truly awesome.
When I was working through the findings from the FENET project
recently, it seemed that hardware improvements no longer jumped out
as a high priority item for future developments. But is this just
because we assume that hardware improvements will continue at their
previous rapid pace? We certainly shouldn’t forget that
computing capabilities are still limiting many of our endeavours to
unleash the full potential of engineering simulation. For example,
during the 2005 World Congress Lee Margetts spoke about the
benefits that could be obtained if “real-time” FEA was
available. One application would be to support activities like
Virtual Surgery for the training of surgeons and the development of
new surgical procedures. This is just one example. In point of
fact, real-time simulation has a host of worthy potential
applications.
 Within this issue of BENCHmark we have two articles discussing
areas where hardware issues come to the surface. Firstly, an
article from the UK’s National Physical Laboratory which
talks about the novel techniques it is using to deal with the
gargantuan computing requirements that can result once engineers
start to take due account of uncertainty in parameters such as
loads, material properties and geometry. Secondly, an article from
Laurence Marks describing the continuing emergence of multiphysics
applications into the industrial arena. These are but two of the
examples of many areas in which, without the continued drive for
further quantum leaps in affordable computing power, simulation
engineers are going to be thwarted in their efforts to deliver
their vision of the future.
Tim Morris, Chief Executive
April 2006
The cover image shows the results of an FSI study taken from the
upcoming publication “Why Do Multiphysics?”. This shows
the deformations and stresses in a Sulzer SMB mixer by coupling the
two commercial codes STAR-CD and PERMAS through the coupling
library MpCCI.
NAFEMS Members and BENCHmark subscribers have already received
their copy of April 2006 BENCHmark. Articles are
available to NAFEMS Members to download below, as well as a
complete PDF of this issue.
Units & Dynamics
The enduring issue of units in analysis
Use of the NPL Grid to Understand Uncertainties in Finite Element
Models
Investigating ways of determining model reliability
Knowledge Base 011 - Nominal and Non-linear Stresses
The 11th NAFEMS Congress in Vancouver, Canada
Linearized Multi Body Templates for Steady State Finite Element
Dynamics
Linking MBS and FEM at BMW
Numerical Modelling of Polymer Materials for Crash Applications -
Part 2
New methodology for improving numerical simulation of polymer
materials
BENCHmark April 2006 - Full Issue
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engineering analysis and simulation.
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