SimScale

SimScale

Developer(s)	SimScale GmbH
Initial release	2013 (2013)
Development status	Active
Platform	Web browser
Type	Computer-aided engineering
Website	simscale.com

SimScale is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software product based on cloud computing. SimScale was developed by SimScale GmbH and allows structural, fluids, particle and acoustic simulations.^{[1] [2]} The backend of the platform uses open source codes:

• CFD: OpenFOAM and SU2
• FEM: Code Aster and CalculiX
• Particles: YADE

History

SimScale GmbH was founded in 2012 by five graduates of TU Munich, David Heiny, Vincenz Dölle, Alexander Fischer, Johannes Probst, and Anatol Dammer^[3] with the goal of building a cloud-based 3D CAE platform that was easy-to-use and affordable. After a beta phase, the SimScale platform was launched in the second half of 2013.^[4]

Further, on 2 December 2015, a community plan was announced making the platform accessible to everyone for free^[5][6] and hence making simulation technologies more accessible to small and medium scale industries.^{[7] [8]}

Features

The SimScale platform has several capabilities. Each capability with a suitable example for visualization is given below.

Finite element analysis module

The FEM module uses the open-source codes / solvers CalculiX and Code Aster. These codes allow linear and nonlinear analysis of structures. Linear static/dynamic analysis is possible using either codes / solvers but the nonlinear static/dynamic analysis is possible only through the usage of Code Aster.

Type of analysis permitted	Examples	Type of analysis permitted	Examples
Linear static analysis	The image describes the contour plot of stresses obtained from linear static analysis of a gripper arm. The analysis was done using the SimScale FEM software	Nonlinear static analysis	This image shows the contour plot of a nonlinear static analysis on a snap-fit. The analysis is done using the finite element software SimScale. Here the analysis is time-independent and hence static. But also involves nonlinearities like contact and plasticity
Linear dynamic analysis	The image shows the contour plot of stresses from the linear dynamic analysis. A mobile case is dropped from 2m to plot the stresses due to impact. The FEM simulation was performed using the SimScale FEM software.	Nonlinear dynamic analysis	The image shows the contour plot of stresses during an impact event. The image shows the impact of an object with the skull in the presence of a helmet and without a helmet. The simulation was done using the FEM software SimScale.
Modal analysis (frequency)	This image shows the contour plot of displacements. The image corresponds to a modal analysis done using SimScale FEM software. The gif image shows the different eigenmodes of the truss bridge	Harmonic analysis	The image shows the contour plot of displacements. The Harmonic analysis was done at 520 Hz. The simulation was done using the FEM software SimScale.

Computational fluid dynamics module

The CFD module of SimScale primarily uses OpenFOAM for fluid flow simulations. It is also possible to choose SU2, alternatively, for solutions to compressible flows.^[9] Both steady state and transient analysis for the below simulations are possible.

Type of analysis permitted:

• Laminar flow
• Turbulent flows
• Incompressible flow
• Compressible flow
• Multiphase flow
• Fluid flow through porous media
• Scalar mass transport
• Fluid flow with rigid body movement

Thermal module

The Thermal module of SimScale uses OpenFOAM for fluid-fluid and fluid-solid thermal interaction problems. For thermo-structural analysis, SimScale uses Code Aster and CalculiX. At present, SimScale allows uncoupled thermo-mechanical simulations,^[10] conjugate heat transfer^[11] and convective heat transfer analysis. Both steady-state and transient simulations are possible. In addition, fluid simulations also allow usage of Turbulence models.

Other modules

The other modules of SimScale include

• Particle analysis
• Acoustics

File format

SimScale allows import of geometry in STEP, IGES, BREP and STL formats; mesh in OpenFOAM, UNV, EGC, MED, CGNS formats. In addition, the geometry can be directly imported from their partner CAD platform, namely Onshape.

A SimScale add-in for Autodesk Fusion 360 has been released to allow direct import of models from Autodesk Fusion 360 to SimScale.^[12]

SimScale community

The SimScale Community Plan was announced on 2 December 2015 based on new investment round led by Union Square Ventures (USV).^[13] The Community Plan is free and includes 3000 computation hours and 500 GB of storage per year for any registered user. Simulations/Projects created by a user registered under the "Community plan" is available for access, to all other users, in the SimScale public projects.^[1] The SimScale public projects is a library of simulations/projects from which any registered user can use as template to modify or copy an existing simulation.^[14]

SimScale outreach program

SimScale has also organized several free webinars as a part of its outreach program to make simulation technologies more popular among hobbyists and designers. Webinars organized by SimScale include

• 3D Printing Workshop^[15]
• F1 Aerodynamics Workshop^[16]
• Simulation in Biomedical Engineering Workshop^[17]

References