Computational Modelling of Multi-Physics and Multi-Scale Processes in Parallel

This paper provides an overview of the developing needs for simulation software technologies for the computational modelling of problems that involve combinations of interactions amongst varying physical phenomena over a variety of time and space scales. Computational modelling of such problems requires software technologies that enable the mathematical description of the interacting physical phenomena together with the solution of the resulting suites of equations in a numerically consistent and compatible manner. This functionality requires the structuring of simulation modules for specific physical phenomena so that the coupling can be effectively represented. These multi-physics and multi-scale computations are very compute intensive and the simulation software must operate effectively in parallel if it is to be used in this context. An approach to these classes of multi-disciplinary simulation in parallel is described, with some key examples of application to challenging engineering problems.