Virtual Environments for multiphysics code validation on Computing Grids

Multiphysics simulation is the core of future engineering design in the aerospace industry. For this to become a production reality, quantum leap breakthroughs are to be achieved, concerning in particular model coupling, error correlations, alert definitions, best usage practices, code verification and code validation. Because problems that are expected to be orders of magnitude larger than current single discipline design are likely to be addressed, new computing technologies are required. Among these technologies are parallel and distributed computing, in cluster and grid-based environments. It is clear that large PC-clusters and wide area grids are currently used for demanding numerical applications, e.g., nuclear and environmental simulation. It is not so clear however which approaches are currently the best for developing multiphysics simulation and validation environments. A first approach takes existing grid-based computing environments and deploys, tests and analyzes multiphysics codes. A second approach executes multiphysics codes to characterize grid-based environments for adequate architectural hardware and software. We advocate in this paper the use of grid-based infrastructures that are designed for seamless approaches to the numerical expert users, i.e., the multiphysics applications designers. The approach is based on concepts defined by the HEAVEN* consortium. HEAVEN is a European scientific consortium including industrial partners from the aerospace and software industries, as well as academic research institutes. The designers can define their own “virtual” computing environments by selecting the appropriate computing resources required, or reuse existing environments. The approach is generic by allowing various application domains to benefit from potential hardware and software resources located on remote computing facilities in a simple and intuitive way. The computing resources are defined by services made available as sets of standardized interfaces performing specific tasks: application workflow, input data streams, output visualization tools, monitoring facilities, etc. Services can be composed and hierarchically defined. Transparent access to heterogeneous hardware and software operating systems is guaranteed. An aeroelasticity example is given.