featool-multiphysics

# featool-multiphysics USE FOR: - "simulate heat transfer / fluid flow / structural analysis" - "finite element analysis (FEA) setup and workflow" - "CFD modeling with OpenFOAM or FEniCS" - "multiphysics coupling (thermal + structural + fluid)" - "engineering simulation for research or education" - "custom PDE solver setup" - "parametric simulation and post-processing" tags: [FEA, CFD, simulation, multiphysics, engineering, physics, OpenFOAM, FEniCS, SU2, heat-transfer, structural-mechanics] kind: tool category: scientific-computing --- ## What Is FEATool Multiphysics? FEATool (Finite Element Analysis Toolbox) is an integrated simulation platform for modeling coupled physics phenomena, continuum mechanics, and engineering problems. Tagline: **"Physics Simulation Made Easy"** - GitHub: [https://github.com/precise-simulation/featool-multiphysics](https://github.com/precise-simulation/featool-multiphysics) - Docs: [https://featool.com/doc](https://featool.com/doc) - Latest: v1.18 (February 2026) · 428 GitHub stars --- ## Supported Physics Domains | Domain | Examples | | -------- | --------- | | Heat & Mass Transfer | conduction, convection, diffusion | | Fluid Dynamics (CFD) | laminar/turbulent flow, Navier-Stokes | | Structural Mechanics | stress, strain, deformation | | Electromagnetics | electrostatics, magnetostatics | | Custom PDEs | user-defined equations in natural math notation | --- ## Solver Integrations | Solver | Type | Notes | | -------- | ------ | ------- | | **OpenFOAM** | CFD | Open-source, industry-grade CFD | | **FEniCS** | FEA/Multiphysics | Python-based FEM framework | | **SU2** | CFD | Aerospace-grade solver | | Built-in | General FEM | Default solver, no external deps | --- ## Standard Modeling Workflow (6 Steps) ``` 1. Geometry → define 1D/2D/3D shapes (CAD primitives or import) 2. Grid → automatic mesh generation (structured/unstructured) 3. Equation → select physics mode or enter custom PDEs 4. Boundary → assign boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Neumann, Robin) 5. Solve → run solver (built-in or external: OpenFOAM/FEniCS/SU2) 6. Post → visualize results (ParaView, Plotly web plots, export) ``` --- ## Installation ### Stand-alone (Windows/Linux/macOS) ```bash # Download installer from GitHub Releases # https://github.com/precise-simulation/featool-multiphysics/releases # Minimum: 64-bit OS, 4 GB RAM, up to 10 GB disk ``` ### MATLAB Toolbox ```matlab % Install .mlappinstall via MATLAB APPS toolbar % Then launch: featool ``` ### Python (FEniCS integration) ```bash # FEniCS must be installed separately pip install fenics-dolfinx # or via conda ``` --- ## Python API Scripting FEATool supports programmable workflows via Python scripts: ```python import featool # Load a model model = featool.load('heat_exchanger.fea') # Run solver model.solve() # Extract results T = model.get_field('T') # Temperature field print(f"Max temperature: {max(T):.2f} K") # Export to ParaView model.export('results.vtk') ``` --- ## MATLAB API Scripting ```matlab % Create new model fea = feamodel(); fea.sdim = {'x', 'y'}; % 2D problem % Define geometry fea.geom = gobj_rectangle(0, 1, 0, 1); % Set physics (heat equation) fea = addphys(fea, @heattransfer); fea.phys.ht.bdr.coef{2,end} = 100; % Boundary temp = 100°C % Mesh and solve fea = parsephys(fea); fea = parsegeom(fea); fea = meshgeo(fea, 'hmax', 0.05); fea = solvetime(fea); % Post-process postplot(fea, 'surfexpr', 'T'); ``` --- ## Custom PDE Definition Enter equations in natural notation: ``` ∂u/∂t - ∇·(k∇u) = f # In FEATool syntax: # Equation: ut - k*(uxx + uyy) = f # Where k = thermal conductivity coefficient ``` --- ## Export Formats | Format | Use Case | | -------- | --------- | | `.fea` binary | Save/reload FEATool models | | MATLAB `.m` script | Reproducible parametric studies | | Python/FEniCS `.py` | Open-source solver pipeline | | ParaView `.vtk/.vtp` | Advanced 3D visualization | | Plotly HTML | Interactive web plots | --- ## Use Case Examples ### Heat Exchanger Analysis ```matlab % Load built-in example fea = ex_heattransfer1(); fea = solvetime(fea); postplot(fea, 'surfexpr', 'T', 'title', 'Temperature Distribution') ``` ### Fluid Flow (Navier-Stokes) ```matlab fea = feamodel(); fea = addphys(fea, @navierstokes); % Set Reynolds number, inlet velocity, solve fea = solvetime(fea); postplot(fea, 'surfexpr', 'sqrt(u^2+v^2)', 'title', 'Velocity magnitude') ``` ### Structural Mechanics ```matlab fea = feamodel(); fea = addphys(fea, @linearelasticity); % Define material (E, nu), boundary loads fea = solvetime(fea); postplot(fea, 'surfexpr', 'von_mises', 'title', 'Von Mises Stress') ``` --- ## When to Use Which Solver | Scenario | Recommended Solver | | ---------- | -------------------- | | Simple heat/structural | Built-in FEM | | Complex CFD / turbulence | OpenFOAM | | Coupled multiphysics research | FEniCS | | Aerodynamics / aerospace CFD | SU2 | | Education / quick prototyping | Built-in GUI | --- ## Key Tips - Use **model examples** (File → Model Examples) to bootstrap any physics type - **Parametric expressions** allow sweeping parameters without re-building geometry - For large 3D problems, export to OpenFOAM for HPC cluster execution - Results can be exported to **Plotly** for shareable interactive web reports - FEniCS export generates standalone Python scripts — useful for CI/automation ---