4.3 Simulation Implementation in COMSOL Multiphysics

The procedure to perform a finite element analysis presented in Section 4.2 is not straight forward, because it requires a strong comprehension of both the theory and mathematics behind of the FEM. Furthermore, the extension of the finite element analysis to 2D and 3D modeling makes the FEM procedure even more complicated.

Due to the prevalence of advanced computer hardware and software, performing a finite element analysis is accessible even for users without much knowledge of the FEM [148]. Powerful hardware provides analysis for complicated structure and/or physical phenomena as well as faster calculations. The rapid development of commercial FEM softwares enables users to perform finite element analysis by hiding the finite element formulation of the problem of interest. The FEM procedure is hidden in the commercial software, which provides only the results of the analysis. In this way, it is possible to focus on the structure, material properties, physics, and boundary conditions under analysis.

COMSOL Multiphysics^® [38] is a commercial finite element analysis software for modeling and simulating a wide spectrum of FEM-based physical problems, especially coupled phenomena, in the engineering field, including automotive and electronics. It has a user-friendly multiple windows interface incorporating geometry generation, physics model, meshing, solver, and post-processing. COMSOL Multiphysics^® has the capability to solve coupled multiphysics problems, such as electro-thermal and thermo-mechanical phenomena. Its library of physics models is really huge and it can be useful for different analysis and applications. However, where a preset physics model is not available, it is possible to create new physics model interfaces by directly implementing the physical governing PDEs of the problem of interest for setting up simulations from first principles.