Virtual reality based interactive conceptual simulations

This paper presents a new approach for the design and realization of a Virtual Reality (VR) based engineering front end that enables engineers to combine post processing tasks and finite element methods for linear static analyses at interactive rates. "What-if-scenarios" have become a widespread methodology in the CAE domain. Here, designers and engineers interact with the virtual mock-up, change boundary conditions (BC), variate geometry or BCs and simulate and analyze its impact on the CAE mock-up. The potential of VR for post-processing engineering data enlightened ideas to deploy it for interactive investigations at conceptual stage. While it is a valid hypothesis, still many challenges and problems remain due to the nature of the "change'n play" paradigm imposed by conceptual simulations as well as the non-availability of accurate, interactive FEM procedures. Interactive conceptual simulations (ICS) require new FEM approaches in order to expose the benefit of VR based front ends.