Best Practices in COMSOL

Multiphysics®
Best Practices in:
2.
1.

 Parameters and Selections

– Grouping parts
– Changing views w/ hide/show options
 Solver Sequences
– Setting up Parametric Sweeps
– Modifying physics for a study
 Results
– Verifying the FEM Solution
– Getting the most out of COMSOL’s
extensive visualization tools
 App Builder
 Geometry
– Defeaturing & Repair toolbox
 Physics
– Symmetry boundary conditions
 Results
– Mirroring, rotating, cutting, and
other data manipulations
T-Junction Model
Laminar Inflow: 1.5 cm/s
T=95°C

Outlet to Gauge
Pressure (p=0)

Laminar Inflow: 1 cm/s

T = 5°C
What is the average velocity and temperature?
Defeaturing: modifies the geometry
Virtual Operations: approximates the geometry
Some general advice…

Model
Accuracy
“Perfect” model

“Back of the
Envelope”

User Effort
When you know something about the solution you can tune the
mesh to speed up the solver

We can see that the flow in some

Default physics-controlled mesh does not regions is quite uniform
know anything about the solution
When you know something about the solution you can tune the
mesh to speed up the solver

We can see that the flow in some

Default physics-controlled mesh does not regions is quite uniform
know anything about the solution

Introduce a partitioning part to Modify the meshing sequence for less

subdivide the flow domain elements along the direction of the flow
Bond Wire Problem Setup

1. A constant voltage is applied through a single bond wire

2. The wire heats up due to resistive loss

Natural Convection
h=5 W/m2K
Text =20 °C
How can we verify our solution?

V = 50 mV
T = 20 °C

V=0V
T = 20 °C
Verifying the Finite Element Solution

Mesh
Refinement
Bond Wire Problem Setup

1. A constant voltage is applied through a single bond wire

2. The wire heats up due to resistive loss

Natural Convection
h=5 W/m2K
Text =20 °C Goal: Streamline the workflow to efficiently
analyze all bond wires individually, and sweep
through constraints & operating conditions
V = 50 mV
T = 20 °C

V=0V
T = 20 °C
Create app to work with other bond wire CAD files

Use Data Access to make the file
import available as in input
Expose the applied voltage via a
Global Parameter
Add a button to plot the imported
geometry and to compute the
solution

Report the Derived Values Provide a visualization of

the results
Always the same workflow, for all problems
Setup geometry, apply loads,
boundary conditions, and
material properties

Problem
Statement Compute, verify
the mesh, and
evaluate results
1
𝜎 𝑇 =
𝜌0 1 + 𝛼 𝑇 − 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑓

𝛻 ∙ −𝜎 𝑇 𝛻𝑉 = 0
Package model and
𝛻 ∙ −𝑘 𝑇 𝛻𝑇 = 𝜎 𝑇 𝐄 ∙ 𝐄 distribute results
𝑇 − 𝑇0
𝑘 𝑇 = 𝑘0 𝑒𝑥𝑝 −
𝑇𝑐

Iteratively add complexity

Closing Remarks

 Omit irrelevant features in the geometry

– Exploit symmetry when possible

 Start with a single physics

– Add couplings one at a time

 Start with coarsest physics-controlled mesh as possible

– Always run mesh refinement study to verify solution

 Use selections, parameters, methods to automate repetitive tasks

Thank You!
Questions?