Modelling and Simulation at TWI

Engineering simulation has become widely used by almost all industry sectors. It is a powerful technology that can reduce time and costs during product development and enhance the safe operating life of components by simulating in-service conditions.

Almost every recent national and international technology strategy map identifies simulation as a key enabling technology that will help achieve emerging environmental legislation, sustainability targets, and socio-economic objectives that drive the current digital transformation.

These studies include:

• In the UK: The 2020 UK Research and Development Roadmap emphasised the benefits of modelling and simulation to deliver next-generation defence technology in the UK. Moreover, the UKRI ElecTech Council (2019) highlighted fluid dynamics and digital twins as part of the cross-cutting role that simulation technologies will play in delivering the Industrial Strategy’s grand challenges
• In Europe: The European Metallurgy Roadmap and the Materials Science in Europe white paper identify accurate and validated models of manufacturing processes and materials as underpinning capabilities for many industries, observing that, “the future of the European industry is associated with a strong modelling capacity”
• Around the World: The USA Department of Energy (2020) roadmap, the “Vision 2040” Roadmap from NASA, and the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering (2015) technology strategy together surveyed hundreds of industrial companies, research and technology organisations, and universities. A common conclusion is an absolute necessity to develop national assets and skill sets in data analysis, modelling and simulation, and engineering analysis to meet the energy, climate and societal challenges of the next 50 years.