VDM Gilbert, D: The Moving Object Simulation Environment

In the last 50 years computers have taken an increasing role in the engineering design process. Today prototypes are often perfected through computer simulation rather than practical testing. Modern tools encapsulate expert engineering design knowledge within software creating virtual environments for experimentation. This book describes the design of such a unified framework with a special focus on studying moving objects within dynamic fields. Fundamental transient simulation methodologies for PDEs are introduced and applied through a variety of illustrative examples. Powerful techniques including code generation, symbolic computation and state of the art parallel spectral solvers are presented. Special considerations for linking structured moving meshes within diffusion fields are emphasized. A reactor core model with dynamic power characteristics is developed and used as part of a challenging case study exploring the transient effects resulting from fuel assembly and control rod motion. A complete picture is presented ranging from conceptual ideals of simulation environments, through generic framework designs and finally to verifiable results.