Decrease Total RAM Required to Solve Sequentially Coupled Multiphysics problems.
Another COMSOL Tips & Tricks Deposit:
Are you solving a multiphysics problem? If so, do you know if your equations are sequentially coupled or intimately coupled? Well, if your equations are sequentially coupled, you can decrease the total RAM required to solve your systems by dividing your solution sequence into multiple steps. A classic example of this is when solving Thermal-Structural problems. Because displacements are usually small from thermal expansion, the heat transfer equations are not significantly affected by geometry changes. For this reason, you can first solve the heat transfer equations on the undeformed geometry as a first step. Then, with a second step, solve the solid mechanics equations with the temperature field solution from step one as an input. This technique saves on computer memory requirements enabling you to solve larger problems using your existing computing power. (One notable exception to this rule for Thermal-Structural problems is when thermal contact is enabled. In this case, your equations become intimately coupled.)
Watch a 10 minute video on this:
