Multiphysics simulation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:41, 22 March 2022

Revision as of 19:33, 12 July 2022

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In [[computational model|computational modelling]], '''multiphysics simulation''' (often shortened to simply "multiphysics") is defined as the simultaneous simulation of different aspects of a physical system or systems and the interactions among them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Liu|first=Zhen|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1044733613|title=Multiphysics in Porous Materials|date=2018|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-93028-2|___location=Cham, Switzerland|oclc=1044733613}}</ref> For example, simultaneous simulation of the physical stress on an object and, the temperature distribution of the object and the thermal expansion which leads to the variation of the stress and temperature distributions would be considered a multiphysics simulation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2015/03/multiphysics-brings-the-real-world-into-simulations/|title=Multiphysics brings the real world into simulations|date=2015-03-16|access-date=2018-08-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Multiphysics simulation is related to multiscale simulation, which is the simultaneous simulation of a single process on either multiple time or distance scales.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Groen|first=Derek|last2=Zasada|first2=Stefan J.|last3=Coveney|first3=Peter V.|date=March 2014|title=Survey of Multiscale and Multiphysics Applications and Communities|url=https://doi.org/10.1109/MCSE.2013.47|journal=Computing in Science & Engineering|volume=16|issue=2|pages=34–43|arxiv=1208.6444|doi=10.1109/mcse.2013.47|issn=1521-9615}}</ref>

As an [[Interdisciplinarity|interdisciplinary]] field, multiphysics simulation can span many science and engineering disciplines. Simulation methods frequently include [[numerical analysis]], [[partial differential equations]] and [[tensor analysis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multiphysics.us|title=Multiphysics Learning & Networking - Home Page|website=www.multiphysics.us|access-date=2018-08-19}}</ref>

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The implementation of a multiphysics simulation follows a typical series of steps:<ref name=":0" />

* Identify the aspects of the system to be simulated, including physical processes, starting conditions, and the coupling or boundary conditions among these process.

* Create a [[discrete mathematics|discrete]] mathematical model of the system.

* [[numerical analysis|Numerically]] solve the model.

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{{see also|Mathematical models}}

Mathematical models used in multiphysics simulations are generally a set of coupled equations. The equations can be divided into three categories according to the nature and intended role: [[governing equations|governing equation]], [[characteristic equation (calculus)|auxiliary equations]] and [[boundary value problem|boundary/initial conditions]]. A governing equation describes a major physical mechanisms or process. Multiphysics simulations are numerically implemented with [[Discretization|discretization]] methods such as the [[finite element method]], [[finite difference method]], or [[finite volume method]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bagwell|first=Scott|last2=Ledger|first2=Paul D|last3=Gil|first3=Antonio J|last4=Mallett|first4=Mike|last5=Kruip|first5=Marcel|date=2017-12-07|title=A linearised ''hp''-finite element framework for acousto-magneto-mechanical coupling in axisymmetric MRI scanners|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nme.5559|journal=International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering|language=en|volume=112|issue=10|pages=1323–1352|doi=10.1002/nme.5559}}</ref>

== Challenges of multiphysics simulation ==

Generally speaking, multiphysics simulation is much harder than that for individual aspects of the physical processes.

The main extra issue is how to integrate the multiple aspects of the processes with proper handling of the interactions among them.

Such issue becomes quite difficult when different types numerical methods are used for the simulations of individual physical aspects.

For example, when simulating a [[fluid-structure interaction]] problem with typical Eulerian finite volume method for flow

and Lagrangian finite element method for structure dynamics.

==See also==