DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR SOLVING CONTINUUM MECHANICS PROBLEMS

摘要

The limiting factor in solving continuum mechanics problems by theoretical means lies in the speed of available computing equipment. This equipment is almost exclusively of the general-purpose variety. It is intended not merely for the solution of the problems of continuum mechanics but for such diverse uses as the preparation of payrolls, cost accounting and the solution of the equations of nuclear field theory. A feasibility study was performed to produce designs for computers which solve the equations of continuum mechanics in a highly efficient manner, to deter¬mine quantitatively what increases in the speed of solution are possible, and to arrive at hardware costs of the resulting special-purpose com¬puters. The results indicate increases in speed of at least a factor of 20 for one-dimensional motion as compared with the fastest general-purpose digital computer available today, at a quarter of its cost. At least as favorable speed ratios hold in two and three space dimensions, although the cost in two dimensions is about equal and in three dimen¬sions is about four times greater for the special-purpose computer.