On the Role and Potential of Engineering Simulation

Abstract

The two aspects of simulation have been discussed: simulation as a practical tool for predicting physical phenomena and simulation as a theoretical tool for carrying out research. The current state of the art in the former aspect is described in the framework of computer-aided-engineering with reference to what is being done and what should be done more. Then, the latter aspect of simulation is discussed first by considering the difference between real phenomena and simulation and then by considering the reason why simulation cannot be a tool for discovering new phenomena. Finally, a new simulation method, controlled-molecular dynamics, is introduced as a possible tool for discovering new phenomena on a microscale and/or mezzo-scale. After a description of the crucial difference between the new method and the ordinary method of simulation, several new findings obtained through this new method are briefly described.