One of our most powerful codes is now available for industry use
WHAT IS ALE3D4I
ALE3D (short for Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian three-dimensional analysis) is a versatile multiphysics simulation tool used to solve 2D and 3D engineering and physics problems developed by Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL). US industry can now access a version of this advanced computer simulation code that leverages high performance computing – ALE3D for Industry (ALE3D-4I). The new code is installed on the Laboratory’s massively parallel supercomputers – machines with tens of thousands of processors working in tandem. U.S. companies and academics interested in using the code and LLNL's high-performance computing (HPC) resources are able to do so through the Laboratory's High-Performance Computing Innovation Center (HPCIC).
Simulation of laser powder bed melting showing melt pool instabilities and spatter that can degrade build quality.
HOW ALE3D4I WORKS
The ALE3D4I code is unique because it allows a user to not only switch between the Lagrangian and Eulerian techniques but also combine the two so that the mesh “relaxes” at the leading edge of the object. The amount of relaxation is determined by the user, who can “weight” the simulation so that more zones are forced into a specific area of interest, for greater accuracy at that spot. Supporting mesh relaxation broadens the scope of applications in comparison to codes that are restricted to Lagrangian- or Eulerian-only approaches. For some applications, ALE3D4I can deliver accuracy similar to that of other simulation techniques but with as few as one-tenth the number of mesh elements.
Beyond its foundation as a hydrodynamics and structural code, ALE3D4I has multi-physics capabilities that integrate various packages through an operator splitting approach. Additional features include heat conduction, chemical kinetics, species diffusion, incompressible flow, a wide range of material models, chemistry models, multi-phase flow, and magnetohydrodynamics, which can be used in numerous combinations for long (implicit) to short (explicit) time-scale applications.
Potential applications include the advanced manufacturing of high-technology components, home care products, and food processing and safety. The rapidly growing industry of additive manufacturing – also known as 3D printing – is also keen to conduct simulations modelling possible breakthrough technologies. Basic agreements with industrial collaborators will provide access to the code, as well as to Livermore supercomputers and user support.
CONTACT US
If you are interested in more information about ALE3D4I or a potential collaboration with LLNL, please email ale3d4i-help [at] llnl.gov (subject: ALE3D4I%20Contact%20Request) (ALE3D4i Support) and we will be in touch with more details. (We will never send you spam or sell your information.)
