GridCAE - The Benefits

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the fastest growing segment in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation. It uses numerical methods to analyse fluid flows and is commonly used in the Automotive and Aeronautic industries. CFD requires millions of calculations to simulate the interaction of fluids.

Companies which use CFD often have their own in-house compute clusters. The resource requirements vary depending on the size and complexity of the simulations. It's easy to fall into the resource trap where, at one time an organisation may suffer from having too few resources, and at another it may have too many, hence under-utilised, resources. On-demand access to computing resources would provide CPU cycles when they are needed and avoid risk by removing the need to make significant investments.

ICON is an SME providing independent technology and process consulting for engineering and business, including CFD service provision. ICON used the Grid to access remote compute clusters which met their needs. This allowed them:

• to get solutions in shorter timeframes, in hours rather than in weeks;
• to perform larger simulations, not previously possible in realistic timeframes;
• to reduce their costs for both development and cluster maintenance;
• to give them increased financial flexibility, by charging the resources used to specific project budgets in place of a general cluster maintenance overhead;
• and topically, to lessen their environmental impact by reducing waste.

With respect to the technical aspects, the keystory highlights how the GRIA Grid middleware allows ICON to access different remote computing resources, using a single interface. This prevents them from being tied-in to one compute resource provider.