Using Cloud Computing to Reduce Simulation Turnaround Times and Increase Simulation Throughput

FEA simulation throughput directly impacts productivity in any engineering organization that uses computational simulations in their design workflows. In the typically iterative design process, higher simulation throughput and shorter turnaround times allow for exploring more design parameters which in turn results in product designs that are closer to the elusive ‘optimal’ solution. On the other hand, the limited availability of computational resources often limits simulation throughput and increases the turnaround time for simulations resulting in less optimal solutions or delayed schedules. Offering scalability and a pay-as-you go payment model cloud computing promises a way out of this dilemma. This paper provides an overview of Penguin Computing’s public cloud infrastructure Penguin on Demand (POD) including a discussion of POD’s security model. The paper then discusses how IMMI, a provider of advanced safety systems reduced job turnaround time and increased job throughput of LS-DYNA simulations, using a hybrid model of in-house compute resources and Penguin Computing’s public cloud offering Penguin Computing on Demand (POD). Specific examples such as design of IMMI’s FlexSeat, a three point belted seat for school buses, frontal crashing simulation of fire trucks as well as respective benchmark data will be provided.