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Comsol: Challenge X: Vaasavi Sundar MAE 598

COMSOL is a finite element analysis software that includes modules for CFD, PDEs, batteries, and fuel cells. It allows users to directly input and manipulate equations. While more flexible than ANSYS, COMSOL has weaker solvers, especially for turbulent flows. A single-use COMSOL license costs $1,695 while an academic license for 300 students is $3,995. COMSOL is best suited for research due to its user-controlled modeling, while ANSYS is preferred in industry.

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Abdelghafour Saidi
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93 views6 pages

Comsol: Challenge X: Vaasavi Sundar MAE 598

COMSOL is a finite element analysis software that includes modules for CFD, PDEs, batteries, and fuel cells. It allows users to directly input and manipulate equations. While more flexible than ANSYS, COMSOL has weaker solvers, especially for turbulent flows. A single-use COMSOL license costs $1,695 while an academic license for 300 students is $3,995. COMSOL is best suited for research due to its user-controlled modeling, while ANSYS is preferred in industry.

Uploaded by

Abdelghafour Saidi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMSOL:

Challenge X
Vaasavi Sundar
MAE 598
Numerical Architecture
● COMSOL is a finite element analysis (FEA) modeling program
○ Includes a variety of packages (CFD, PDE, Batteries and Fuel Cells, Multidynamics
modules) [1]

● CFD Specific Information [2]


○ Navier-Stokes Equations and Spalart-Allmaras used to model turbulent flow
○ Users can manipulate variables in the equations and include equations from other interfaces
○ Other available tools include:
■ hybrid meshes, automatic boundary layer meshing, and the ability to adapt mesh density
○ CFD Module can make use of various solvers (linear, nonlinear, time dependent, parametric)
○ Users can apply different orders within the same simulation
Strengths and Weaknesses (Compared to ANSYS)
Strengths: [3]

● Offers more control for the user (can input specific equations)
○ ANSYS uses a preprocessor
● Offers a variety of modules for more multiphysics problems
○ Some unique modules include: the MEMs module, acoustics module, corrosion
module
○ ANSYS offers multiphysics simulations available for applications in electronics cooling,
thermal FSI, and fluid structure interactions
● Users can define the boundaries through PDEs for any problem
● COMSOL users can incorporate other programming languages (MATLAB, JAVA) for a
User-Defined Function (UDF)
○ ANSYS (only offers UDF through C)
Strengths and Weaknesses (Compared to ANSYS)
Weaknesses: [3]

● ANSYS is widely renowned (and preferred) industry standard FEA tool


○ For many engineers, ANSYS is the preferred software because there are pre-set
settings for certain situations
○ ANSYS is considered to have a more “robust” solver
● Finite Element Method
○ ANSYS offers a Finite Volume Method
● ANSYS Fluent is considered a better option for turbulent models
○ Turbulent models are considered more advanced than those available through
COMSOL
○ Simulations with high Re numbers are more difficult to converge on COMSOL
Availability, Cost, and Key Advantages
● COMSOL Multiphysics [4]
○ Single-use license: $ 1,695
○ CFD Module: $ 1,695
● COMSOL also offers an “Academic License” for a class of 300 students [4]
■ COMSOL Multiphysics License available at $ 3,995
■ CFD Module: $ 2,995
● At least 1 GB memory, but 4 GB or more is recommended
○ 1-5 GB of disk space (depends on licensed products and installation options
○ Can be run on Mac, Linux, and Windows
● Key Advantages: [3]
○ Availability of many multi-physics modules that aren’t offered through ANSYS Fluent
○ User-controlled method of modeling (through PDE inputs)
○ The cost of a COMSOL license is much less than that of an ANSYS license
Lessons Learned and References
● From the research, it appears that while COMSOL offers more flexibility,
this would be a more appropriate source for those who are pursuing
research or for those who would prefer a mathematical approach. ANSYS
is a more appropriate choice for students who are looking to go into
industry, as that software is used predominantly in the industry.

References:
● [1] https://www.comsol.com/products
● [2] https://www.comsol.com/cfd-module
● [3]http://www.cfd-online.com/
● [4] http://collaborate.bu.edu/engit/Comsol?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=comsol-pricelist.pdf

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