Modeling and simulation catch up - We have only recently surmounted the lengthy hypothesis/test cycle-time problems that other industries have conquered

摘要

Computer modeling and simulation is common in many industries today. In the early days of computing, simulation replaced physical experimentation only in simple cases where the simulations executed faster than the associated physical experiments. Since the late 1970s, however, advances in numerical modeling and the use of finite element methods (FEM) to model all types of systems has mostly displaced older, inflexible finite difference (FD) techniques in many industries. FEM tools have the advantage of automatically concentrating the computational effort on the parts of the model that the physics itself requires - handling both short-duration transient behavior and very sharp contrasts in model variables - and making interactive modeling finally possible. These tools have reduced design-cycle time immensely and improved the quality of designs because designers are able to duplicate with extraordinary fidelity the exact design they have contemplated, with faith in the models' predictions.