A computational framework for scale‐bridging in multi‐scale simulations. (5th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knap, J.; Spear, C.; Leiter, K.; Becker, R.; Powell, D.
• Is Part Of: International journal for numerical methods in engineering. Volume 108:Number 13(2016)
• Page Start: 1649
• Page End: 1666
• Publication Date: 2016-05-05
• Subjects: multi‐scale modeling -- scale‐bridging -- distributed multi‐scale simulation -- finite element; Numerical analysis -- Periodicals; Engineering mathematics -- Periodicals; 620.001518
• DOI: 10.1002/nme.5270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-5981

Abstract

Summary: A computational framework for scale‐bridging in multi‐scale simulations is presented. The framework enables seamless combination of at‐scale models into highly dynamic hierarchies to build a multi‐scale model. Its centerpiece is formulated as a standalone module capable of fully asynchronous operation. We assess its feasibility and performance for a two‐scale model applied to two challenging test problems from impact physics. We find that the computational cost associated with using the framework may, as expected, become substantial. However, the framework has the ability of effortlessly combining at‐scale models to render complex multi‐scale models. The main source of the computational inefficiency of the framework is related to poor load balancing of the lower‐scale model evaluation We demonstrate that the load balancing can be efficiently addressed by recourse to conventional load‐balancing strategies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.