Simcenter Amesim

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Simcenter Amesim

Modelling and Simulation with Simcenter Amesim
Developer(s)	Siemens PLM Software
Initial release	1995
Stable release	Simcenter Amesim 2020.1
Platform	Cross-platform
Available in	English, Chinese
Type	modeling, simulation, Graphical User Interface
License	Proprietary

Simcenter Amesim is a commercial simulation software for the modeling and analysis of multi-domain systems. It is part of systems engineering domain and falls into the mechatronic engineering field.

The software package is a suite of tools used to model, analyze and predict the performance of mechatronics systems. Models are described using nonlinear time-dependent analytical equations that represent the system’s hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, electric or mechanical behavior. Compared to 3D CAE modeling this approach gives the capability to simulate the behavior of systems before detailed CAD geometry is available, hence it is used earlier in the system design cycle or V-Model.

To create a simulation model for a system, a set of libraries is used, they contain pre-defined components for different physical domains. The icons in the system have to be connected and for this purpose each icon has ports, which have several inputs and outputs. Causality is enforced by linking the inputs of one icon to the outputs of another icon (and vice versa).

Simcenter Amesim libraries are written in C language and also support Modelica^[1] which is a non-proprietary, object-oriented, equation based language to model complex physical systems containing, e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, thermal, control, electric power or process-oriented subcomponents. The software runs on Linux and on Windows platforms.

Simcenter Amesim is a part of the Siemens PLM Software Simcenter portfolio. This combines 1D simulation, 3D CAE and physical testing with intelligent reporting and data analytics. This portfolio is intended for development of complex products that include smart systems, through implementing a Predictive Engineering Analytics approach.^[2]

History[]

The Simcenter Amesim software was developed by Imagine S.A. a company which was acquired in June 2007 by , which itself was acquired in November 2012 by Siemens AG. The Imagine S.A. company was created in 1987 by Dr Michel Lebrun from the University Claude Bernard in France, to control complex dynamic systems coupling hydraulic servo-actuators with finite-elements mechanical structures. The initial engineering project involved the deck elevation of the sinking Ekofisk North Sea petroleum platforms. In the early 1990s, the association with Pr C. W. Richards,^[3][4] coming from the University of Bath in England, led to the first commercial release of Simcenter Amesim in 1995 which was then dedicated to fluid control systems. Simcenter Amesim is used by companies in the automotive,^[5][6][7][8] aerospace^[9][10][11] and other advanced manufacturing industries.^[12][13][14]

Usage[]

Simcenter Amesim is a multi-domain software. It allows to link between different physics domains (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanic, electrical, thermal, electromechanical). It is based on the Bond graph theory.

The modelling of a system is done in four steps:

• sketch mode: in which the different components are linked,
• submodel mode: in which the physical submodel associated to each component is chosen,
• parameter mode: in which the parameters for each submodel are set,
• run mode: in which the simulation is started and results analyzed.

Between the submodel and parameter mode, the Simcenter Amesim model is compiled. Under the Windows platform, Simcenter Amesim works with the free Gcc compiler, which is provided with the software. It also works with the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler and its free Express edition. Since the version 4.3.0 Simcenter Amesim uses the Intel compiler on all platforms.

Platform facilities[]

Simcenter Amesim features:

• Platform Facilities
  • graphical user interface, interactive help, supercomponents, post-processed variables, experiments management, meta-data, statechart designer
• Analysis Tools
  • table editor, plots, dashboard, 3D animation, replay of results, linear analysis (eigenvalues, modal shapes, transfer functions, root locus), activity index, power and energy computation
• Optimization, Robustness, DOE
  • Design Of Experiments (parameter study, full factorial, central composite), optimization (NLPQL, genetic algorithm), Monte-Carlo (random, Latin Hypercube, Optimized Latin Hypercube, with uniform or gaussian distribution)
• Solvers and Numerics
  • LSODA, DASSL, DASKR, Fixed-step solvers, discrete partitioning, parallel processing, Simcenter Amesim/Simcenter Amesim cosimulations
• Software Interfaces
  • generic co-simulation (to be used to co-simulate with any software coupled to Simcenter Amesim), functional mock-up interface (export)
• MIL/SIL/HIL and Real-Time
  • plant/control (Simulink interface, Labview interface), various Real-Time (RT) targets (xPC, dSPACE, Opal-RT, LabVIEW, ETAS, ...)
• Simulator Scripting
  • scripting functions to pilot the simulations (from Microsoft Excel thanks to the provided Visual Basic subroutines, from MATLAB, Scilab, Python), circuit API (to build your own Simcenter Amesim-based applications in C and in Python version), script file generator (circuit API file automatically written from the existing model)
• Customization
  • own customized pre and post-processing tools with python, script caller assistant, editor of parameters group, app designer
• Modelica Platform
  • support of the Modelica modeling language, and support of subsets of the Modelica Standard Library (MSL) with dedicated tools: modelica editor, modelica import assistant, modelica compiler, modelica assembly
• 1D/3D CAE
  • CAD Import (an integrated CAD reading, processing, parameter extracting and sketch generation tool), CFD software co-simulation (Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Fluent, CFX, [Simcenter STAR-CD], Eole, ...), FEA import of reduced modal basis with pre-defined frontier nodes, MBS software cosimulation and import/export (Simcenter 3D or MSC.Adams)
• Development
  • The user can develop his own submodels, by assembling different standard submodels (supercomponent) using the Component Customization functionality, or by programming them in C or in Fortran with Submodel Editor. The C source code of most of the standard submodels are provided allowing the user to start from this base to fit them to his needs.

Physical libraries[]

To create a system simulation model in Simcenter Amesim, components from different physical domains are assembled. The physical libraries have been developed through engineering services and partnerships with customers. In version 2019.1, Simcenter Amesim offered 48 libraries (> 6500 multi-physics models) to answer various application requirements.

Some Simcenter Amesim libraries:

• Control:
  • Libraries: signal and control, engine signal control
  • Components: continuous blocks, tables, functions, logics, hysteresis, discrete signal, routing, bus, cyclic components, ...
• Electrics:
  • Libraries: electric motors and drives, electric storage, electrical basics and converters, electric static conversion, electromechanical, automotive electrics, fuel cell
  • Components: resistor, inductor, capacitor, transformer, battery, alternators, synchronous machines, induction machines, direct current machines, generators, direct Park, reverse Park, rectifiers, inverters, choppers, graduators, wires, fuses, relays, fans, blowers, lamps, window lift systems, magnetic coils, airgaps, leakages, piezoelectric actuators, ...
• Mechanics:
  • Libraries: 1D mechanical, 2D mechanical, 3D mechanical, cam and followers, powertrain, vehicle dynamics
  • Components: masses, springs, dampers, cams, rocker-arms, followers, rack and pinion, screw nut, worm gear, levers, gears, bearings, seals, couplings, clutches, chassis, tires, ...
• Fluids:
  • Libraries: hydraulics, hydraulic component design, hydraulic resistance, filling, pneumatics, pneumatic component design, gas mixture, moist air
  • Components: tanks, volumes, orifices, pressure drops, bends, expansions, contractions, T-junction, bearings, poppets, spools, pistons, jacks, diaphragms, leakages, sealings, ... hydraulic/pneumatic pipes with wave effects and water-hammer effect, flexible hoses, speed of sound, shocks, ... fluids and gases properties database, ...
• Thermodynamics:
  • Libraries: thermal, thermal-hydraulics, thermal-hydraulic component design, two-phase flow, air conditioning, cooling system, heat exchangers assembly tool
  • Components: thermal capacities, conduction, convection, radiation, exchangers, radiators, condensers, pumps, thermostats, compressors
• IC Engine:
  • Libraries: IFP drive, IFP engine, IFP exhaust, CFD1D
  • Components: drivers, gearboxes, crankshaft, camshaft, cylinder, combustion, wall heat exchanges, air path, engine valves, compressors, turbochargers, pipes, injectors, after-treatment, catalyst, ...
• Aerospace & Defense:
  • Libraries: aeronautics and space, gas turbine, aircraft fuel systems, liquid propulsion, aircraft electrics
  • Components: flight mission definition, atmosphere models, flight dynamics (point mass, longitudinal, lateral, 6DOF), propellers (use of XFOIL to compute lift and drag characteristics), compressors, turbines, fuel tanks with acceleration, orifices, flap valves, compressors/pumps/turbines, combustion chambers, nozzle, electric VFG, transformer rectifiers, three-phase loads, DC generic loads ...

Education and research[]

Simcenter Amesim is used by engineering schools and universities. It is also the reference framework for various Research projects in Europe.

Release history[]

See also[]

References[]