ENGINEERING SIMULATION

1. Nuclear Radiation Simulation

• Purpose:

  • Model radiation propagation, shielding effectiveness, and dose distribution in nuclear facilities, medical equipment, or space applications.

• Key Software:

  • MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle)

  • ANSYS Fluent (with radiation modules)

  • GEANT4 (high-energy physics)

• Simulation Parameters:

  • Radiation type (neutrons, gamma, alpha/beta particles)

  • Material interaction (cross-sections, attenuation coefficients)

  • Shielding design (lead, concrete, borated polyethylene thickness)

• Outputs:

  • Dose rate maps (Sieverts/hour)

  • Shielding performance reports

  • Hot spot identification

• Applications:

  • Nuclear reactor design

  • Radioactive waste storage

  • Medical imaging (PET scanners)

2. Air Flow Simulation (CFD for HVAC & Aerospace)

• Purpose:

  • Analyze fluid dynamics for ventilation, aerodynamic performance, or contamination control.

• Software Tools:

  • ANSYS Fluent/CFX

  • OpenFOAM (open-source)

  • Siemens Star-CCM+

• Modeling Approach:

  • Turbulence models (k-ε, k-ω, LES)

  • Boundary conditions (velocity inlets, pressure outlets)

  • Multiphase flows (aerosols, particle tracking)

• Key Metrics:

  • Airflow velocity profiles

  • Pressure drop calculations

  • Thermal comfort indices (PMV/PPD)

• Use Cases:

  • Cleanroom airflow optimization

  • Aircraft wing aerodynamics

  • Data center cooling

3. Lighting Simulation

• Purpose:

  • Predict illuminance levels, glare, and energy efficiency in architectural or industrial lighting design.

• Tools:

  • DIALux (industry standard)

  • Relux

  • AGi32

• Simulation Features:

  • Luminous flux distribution (lumens)

  • Daylight integration (using CIE sky models)

  • Material reflectance (e.g., walls, floors)

• Outputs:

  • Lux contour maps

  • Unified Glare Rating (UGR)

  • Energy consumption (kW·h/year)

• Applications:

  • Stadium lighting design

  • Roadway illumination

  • Office workspace ergonomics

4. Hydraulic Simulation

• Purpose:

  • Model liquid flow behavior in pipelines, pumps, and open channels.

• Software:

  • Bentley HAMMER (transient analysis)

  • EPANET (water distribution)

  • PIPE-FLO

• Critical Analyses:

  • Steady-state flow rates (GPM, m³/s)

  • Transient (water hammer) effects

  • Cavitation risk assessment

• Input Parameters:

  • Pipe roughness (Darcy-Weisbach coefficients)

  • Pump curves

  • Valve characteristics

• Industrial Uses:

  • Municipal water supply networks

  • Oil/gas pipeline surge analysis

  • Cooling system design

5. Pipe Stress Simulation (FEA-Based)

• Purpose:

  • Ensure piping systems withstand thermal expansion, pressure, and seismic loads.

• Standards:

  • ASME B31.3 (Process Piping)

  • API 610 (Pump piping)

• Software:

  • CAESAR II (industry standard)

  • AutoPIPE

  • ROHR2

• Analysis Types:

  • Static stress (sustained loads)

  • Thermal expansion (displacement stresses)

  • Modal analysis (vibration frequencies)

• Output Reports:

  • Stress intensity vs. allowable (kPa)

  • Nozzle load compliance (per API 610)

  • Support reaction forces

• Applications:

  • Power plant piping

  • Offshore platform risers

  • Cryogenic piping systems

Comparative Analysis

• Simulation Type Primary Physics Key Output Industry Sector

• Nuclear Radiation Particle transport Dose rate maps Energy, Healthcare

• Air Flow (CFD) Navier-Stokes equations Velocity/pressure fields HVAC, Aerospace

• Lighting Radiometric calculations Lux/UGR distributions Architecture, Urban Planning

• Hydraulic Bernoulli’s principle Flow rates, pressure drops Water, Oil & Gas

• Pipe Stress Finite Element Analysis Stress profiles, displacements Process Plants, Power

Workflow Integration

• Pre-Processing:

  • CAD geometry cleanup (e.g., removing leaks in pipe models)

  • Mesh generation (tetrahedral/hexahedral elements)

• Solver Phase:

  • Setting convergence criteria (residuals < 1e-4)

  • HPC/cloud computing for large models

• Post-Processing:

  • ANSYS CFD-Post or ParaView visualization

  • Automated report generation (Python scripts)