Simulation engineering is a broad term that refers to the technologies and programs that are used to model engineering projects and assess risks and benefits in a virtual environment. In the last ten years, the use of these types of programs has grown at an exponential rate, allowing engineering advances in every field from bioengineering to environmental science. Software, memory requirements, hardware resources, and user interfaces are the four main components of simulation engineering.
All simulation engineering tools are intended for use engineers or engineering technologists who have been trained in their use. Many post-secondary engineering programs now offer courses in simulation engineering, including when it should be used and how to interpret the results. This advancement in technology has greatly reduced costly errors, has allowed engineering research to expand into new areas at a much lower cost, and has allowed researchers to map out the landscape of their research before beginning the physical project.
Simulation engineering software is tailored to the needs of each discipline. With increased usage, the quality and flexibility of these programs have greatly improved. As a result, software products such as time lapse and projections, the impact of natural forces over long time frames, and the impact of temperature fluctuations are now available.
The sheer amount of memory and system resources required to use simulation engineering software is one of the remaining roadblocks. It’s worth noting that it wasn’t a change in the requirements that allowed this industry to grow, but rather improved processing and lower memory costs. Costs have decreased as computer memory manufacturers improve their processes. Moore’s law states that the cost of memory should drop 50% every 18 months.
These software products have significant hardware requirements. Many large research universities pool resources and funding to form separate institutes for engineering research in order to save money. These institutes are self-contained, but are accountable to a board of directors that includes representatives from all of the partner institutes. As a result, research can continue and knowledge can be shared. This type of partnership is common in higher education, but it is not feasible in the private sector.
In recent years, the user interfaces required for simulation engineering have improved. Previously, users had to learn programming languages and enter all of the specifications and requirements manually. The computer would process the request and return the calculations’ results. Users now have graphical interfaces, multidimensional projections, and the ability to see the impact of specific actions on the shape and other physical characteristics thanks to advances in technology and resource allocation.