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Computational Science and Engineering at TWI

Engineering simulation has become widely used by almost all industry sectors. It's a powerful technology that can reduce time and costs during product development and enhance the safe operating life of components by simulating in-service conditions. Almost every recent national and international technology strategy map identifies modelling and simulation as key enabling technologies that will help achieve emerging environmental legislation, sustainability targets, and socio-economic objectives whilst accelerating the development and manufacture of affordable, high performance engineering components. These studies include:

  • NASA’s 2040 Vision Roadmap Study on model-based engineering [1]
  • The European Materials Modelling Council on developing and simulating new materials [2]
  • The USA National Institute of Standards and Technology roadmap on manufacturing processes [3]
  • The Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) hydrogen strategy [4]
  • The joint USA National Science Foundation (NSF) and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) study on opportunities in computational materials and manufacturing [5]
  • The United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on research and development to support national infrastructure, innovation and productivity [6]

Numerical Modelling and Optimisation at TWI

The Numerical Modelling and Optimisation section at TWI is made up of Chartered Engineers, Chartered Mathematicians and NAFEMS-certified Professional Simulation Engineers. The section offers a variety of computational engineering capabilities including finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and data analysis. TWI modelling staff are award-winning experts in applications of FEA for structural integrity assessments and manufacturing process simulations. Our team includes members of many national and international codes and standards including the British Standard 7910 committee and the UK nuclear structural integrity code R6, and are highly cited researchers in the fields of fracture, weld modelling and microstructure evolution.

CFD study of an additively manufactured heat exchanger
CFD study of an additively manufactured heat exchanger

Capabilities

TWI identifies and applies the most appropriate technologies to support our clients’ decisions regarding the need for and application of computational engineering. Our activities span aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, and power generation sectors and include support for:

  • Structural integrity assessments including fracture mechanics, fatigue, and corrosion damage
  • Manufacturing process simulations to predict welding distortion, residual stress and microstructure
  • Additive manufacturing technologies for design optimisation and improved reliability
  • Computational fluid dynamics for heat exchangers and fluid-structure interaction
  • Multiphysics and multiscale modelling of corrosion, electromagnetism and material performance

Our modelling capabilities have decades of experimental validation, leveraging TWI’s internationally-recognised laboratories and experimental facilities. This gives our clients confidence that the predictions can be relied for high-impact decisions. For more information, contact us below.

References

[1] NASA, 2019: ‘2040 Vision Study: An Enlargement of Model Based Engineering’

[2] EMMC, 2018: ‘The EMMC Roadmap 2018 for Materials Modelling and Informatics’

[3] NIST, 2016: ‘Mesaurement Science Roadmap for Prognostics and Health Management for Smart Manufacturing Systems’

[4] METI, 2017: ‘Basic Hydrogen Strategy’

[5] TMS, 2018: ‘Advanced Computation and Data in Materials and Manufacturing: Core Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities’

[6] UKRI, 2020: ‘UK Research and development roadmap’

Modelling and experimental validation on mooring chain fatigue at TWI
Modelling and experimental validation on mooring chain fatigue at TWI
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