4. Multiphysics simulation, a more realistic approach

In complex mechanical systems, such as a vehicle, design validation requires studies and simulations of various physical phenomena, such as aerodynamics, thermics, metallurgy, structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, acoustics, electricity, electromagnetism, etc., in order to validate the design.

Depending on the physics involved, suitable numerical models are prepared with either "weak" or "strong" coupling, in order to study the behavior of the product as closely as possible. A multiphysics analysis with "strong" coupling consists in running simulations with interaction between the "models", of the physics to be studied, at each time increment. For example, in a transient thermomechanical analysis, temperature-dependent material data are updated at each time increment. For this example, the "weak" coupling neglects the temperature dependence of material characteristics....