Multiphysics Coupling FEM and SPH

Complex multiphysical processes such as additive manufacturing in engineering or the digestion of food in the stomach in biomechanics are often difficult to tackle either with fully mesh-based or fully particle-based simulation models. To overcome this problem, we have developed a framework where (mesh-based) finite elements and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) can be coupled to combine the strength of both. This way even complex multiphysical phenomena including, for example, solid mechanics, fluid mechancis, heat conduction, mass diffusion and electrostatics can be tackled.

Dambreak simulation considering the interaction of fluid with rigid spheres using an SPH formulation [1].

Selective laser melting problem with explicitly resolved powder particles [1] considering surface tension, wetting, and evaporation-induced recoil pressure effects [2] using SPH (in collaboration with Christoph Meier, Institute for Computational Mechanics, TUM).

[1] Fuchs SL, Meier C, Wall WA, Cyron CJ. An SPH framework for fluid-solid and contact interaction problems including thermo-mechanical coupling and reversible phase transitions. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences (2021); https://doi.org/10.1186/s40323-021-00200-w

[2] Meier C, Fuchs SL, Hart AJ, Wall WA. A novel smoothed particle hydrodynamics formulation for thermo-capillary phase change problems with focus on metal additive manufacturing melt pool modeling. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2021.113812