CAE Compass: The Map of CAE

CAE is a vast field. It also happens to be one of the most fascinating, dealing with everything from FEA and CFD to structural optimization and virtual prototyping.

Just as physics explores the mysteries of universe, CAE navigates the complicated landscapes of engineering.

But unless you have an innate idea of its vastness, it's pretty hard to figure out how all these concepts actually fit together and how they tie in with stuff like Physics, relevant softwares and of course, Problem solving.

To straighten that out once and for all, I have written this blog which clarifies how the many specializations of CAE link together. And yes, if just the thought of a CAE map breaks you out in an anxious sweat, no need to worry. I promise it's a lot less scary when you see it.

A word of caution before we proceed: This article is going to be long. So, grab your popcorn and exercise some patience because, by the end you'll realize that it was truly worthwhile.

Picture CAE as the head of a large family who has five kids: FEA, CFD, MBD, Durability, and Optimization. Each of these kids has more than four children of their own, making CAE a grandparent to a total of twenty grandchildren.

The family might grow even more with new technologies, but for now, let's just focus on exploring the unique traits of each child and the grandchild.

FEA or Finite Element Analysis is often mixed up with CAE, but it's actually the first child in our CAE family. FEA itself has four domains or grandchildren.

a)    Structural Analysis: Think of this as investigating how things hold up under different pressures and forces. It helps ensure that buildings, bridges, or any other structures stay strong and safe.

b)    Thermal Analysis: Imagine checking how things handle heat – whether it's making sure your computer doesn't overheat or understanding how materials respond to different temperatures.

c)     NVH Analysis: This is like looking into the noise, vibrations, and harshness in products. It's crucial for making sure cars are not too noisy or that appliances run smoothly without shaking.

d)    Crash Analysis: Picture understanding how vehicles or objects behave during crashes. It's like a virtual test to see how well they protect people and what happens in different collision scenarios.

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Now, in each of these areas, there are a set of certain Physics principles, CAE Software and types of industries where they are useful. If you want to work in any of the FEA domains, it's important to understand these concepts and be skilled in using that specific software. Take a look at below chart to understand the sets for each domain.

CFD or Computational Fluid Dynamics, is the second child in our CAE family. CFD has its own set of four domains.

a)    Aerodynamic Analysis: Think of this as exploring how air or gases move around objects, like the shape of a car or an airplane wing. It's crucial for designing vehicles or structures to be efficient and aerodynamically sound.

b)    Multiphase Flow Analysis: Imagine studying how different fluids, like liquids and gases, interact with each other. This is used in various industries, such as oil and gas, to understand complex fluid behaviors.

c)     Turbulence Modeling: This involves looking into chaotic and unpredictable fluid motion. It's important in designing efficient systems, such as optimizing the airflow in a ventilation system.

d)    HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Picture understanding how air circulates in buildings and how heating or cooling systems work. This is essential for creating comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environments.

To excel in a career in any one of the CFD domain, it's crucial to have a strong hold on concepts and become proficient in using specific CAE software similar to FEA. Below chart clarifies it properly.

MBD, or Multibody Dynamics, is the third child in the CAE family. MBD also has four domains or children.

a)    Vehicle Dynamics: Imagine investigating how vehicles move and respond to different conditions. This includes understanding factors like acceleration, braking, and steering. It's crucial for designing cars, trucks, or any other mobile machines to ensure they handle well and are safe.

b)    Robotics & Manipulators: Think of this as studying the movement of robots and mechanical arms. It involves understanding how these machines can perform precise tasks efficiently. This domain is essential in industries where automation and robotics play a significant role.

c)     Rigid Body Dynamics: Picture examining the motion of solid objects without considering their deformations. It's like studying how things move and interact without worrying about them changing shape. This concept is fundamental in various engineering applications.

d)    Suspension Analysis: Consider understanding how vehicle suspensions work – this includes the systems that connect a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension analysis is crucial for designing comfortable rides and ensuring stability in various vehicles.

To thrive in a career related to MBD, it's important to master any one of these domains and become skilled in using specific CAE software and concepts as shown in below chart.

Durability, the fourth child has four specific domains.

a)   Fatigue Life Prediction: Picture forecasting how materials or structures endure repeated loading and unloading over time. This domain is crucial for ensuring that components like bridges, machines, or vehicles can withstand continuous use without breaking down.

b)  Creep Analysis: Imagine studying how materials change shape or deform when subjected to prolonged stress or high temperatures. Creep analysis is vital in industries where materials are exposed to extreme conditions, like aerospace or power generation.

c)   Fracture Mechanics: Think of this as investigating how and why materials break. Fracture mechanics helps understand the behavior of cracks and fractures in different materials, aiding in designing structures that can withstand potential weaknesses.

d)  Structural Durability: Picture assessing how long structures can last and maintain their performance under various conditions. This domain is essential for ensuring the long-term reliability and safety of buildings, bridges, and other constructions.

Optimization, the last child includes four specialized domains.

a)    Shape Optimization: Imagine refining the form or contours of a structure or object to achieve the best performance. Shape optimization is like sculpting designs to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in various applications.

b)    Topology Optimization: Picture exploring the ideal distribution of material within a structure. Topology optimization helps in finding the most efficient arrangement, minimizing material usage while maintaining structural integrity. This is crucial in fields like product design and engineering.

c)     Sensitivity Analysis: Think of this as understanding how changes in certain factors affect the overall performance of a system. Sensitivity analysis helps identify the most critical variables, aiding in making informed decisions for optimization.

d)    Multi-objective Optimization: Consider optimizing a design for multiple goals simultaneously. This involves finding the best compromise between different and sometimes conflicting objectives. It's like balancing various factors to achieve an overall optimal solution.

Now, you might have got an overall idea of the vastness of CAE and the many career opportunities it presents. Good news is you don’t need to master the entire specialization. It is enough to be good at any one domain to build a thriving career.

If we look at the whole family tree of CAE, it looks like this.

Keep in mind that this structure is drawn from information gathered from different sources and books. It's a general outline, but there are some newly emerging areas as well.

Take Moldflow, for instance, which focuses on simulating plastic injection molding. Although it doesn't strictly follow the principles of CFD, some experts argue it could be seen as a part of the CFD branch.

This is a bit like saying there might be new members or branches in the family that are still growing and finding their place.

If you're aware of additional areas that aren't mentioned here, feel free to share your thoughts in comments along with proper sources for confirmation. Your contribution can help us paint a more accurate map of CAE.

P.S: All the charts shared in this article along with the essential Tools & Resources to get started are available in store.

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