Simulation lies at the heart of modern engineering. You could even argue that it defines the profession. Anyone with a pile of wood and some nails can attempt to build a bridge, for example, but it takes an understanding of forces and material properties to calculate whether it will stand up.
You could, of course, achieve the same thing with trial and error. For a footbridge across a stream, the chances are that would work, but when it comes to a giant suspension bridge or a supersonic airliner, it would be foolhardy in the extreme. The complexity and the risks involved are such that you need to have a high degree of confidence in your design before committing to its construction.
Nowhere is this truer than in the automotive industry, where highly engineered products are ultimately placed in the hands of the public. The stakes are huge.
Read the full article in DPA's March issue