Coupled Multi-Physics Applications

Many engineering problems require multidiscipline physical simulations. Such problems require the solution of two or more distinctive physical subsystems that are tightly coupled. Examples include fluid-structure interaction, thermo-mechanical interaction, thermo-electric interaction, and piezoelectric interaction problems.

In these situations, one physical subsystem may affect the response of another subsystem through:

	the constitutive behavior, such as the yield stress defined as a function of temperature;
	strain dependence on other solution fields, e.g. thermal strains or piezo;
	electric effect;
	surface tractions/fluxes, for example a fluid exerting pressure on a structure;
	body forces/fluxes, such as heat generation due to flow of current in a coupled thermal-electrical simulation; and
	geometric changes, such as fluid in contact with a deforming structure.

Gas Generator from TRW

Electric Arc, Fraunhofer SCAI

Biomechanical Simulation, JAERI

SMX Mixer, Sulzer Innotec