COMSOL - An Introduction

ROUND- II
Presented by: DEVI SHREE E M
Class: II M.Sc. MATERIALS SCIENCE
Semester Period: Aug 2024 – Dec 2024
Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics
• COMSOL Multiphysics is a powerful simulation software designed for
modeling and solving physics-based problems in science and engineering.
• It allows users to create multiphysics models that combine different types
of physical phenomena in a single environment.
• From fluid dynamics and heat transfer to electromagnetics and structural
mechanics, COMSOL provides a comprehensive platform to simulate
complex real-world scenarios.
• Its wide range of applications and user-friendly interface make it a
popular choice for research, design, and analysis across various
industries.
 RIBBON — The ribbon tabs have
buttons and drop-down lists for
QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR controlling all steps of the modeling
process.

APPLICATION BUILDER —
Click this button to switch to
the Application Builder and
start building an application
based on your model.

MODEL BUILDER
TOOLBAR

MODEL TREE — The model

tree gives an overview of
the model and all of the
functionality and operations
needed for building and solving

MODEL BUILDER — SETTINGS WINDOW —

The Model Builder window Click any node in the model
with its model tree and the tree to see its associated
associated toolbar buttons Settings window displayed next
gives you an overview of the to the Model Builder.
model. The modeling process
can be controlled from
context-sensitive menus
COMSOL Desktop
Quick Access Toolbar
•The Quick Access Toolbar gives access to functionality such as Open, Save, Undo,

•Redo, Copy, Paste, and Delete. You can customize its content from the Customize Quick Access Toolbar list (the
downward-facing arrow to the right of the toolbar).

Ribbon
•The ribbon at the top of the desktop gives access to commands used to complete most modeling tasks. The ribbon is only
available in the Windows® version of the COMSOL Desktop environment and is replaced by menus and toolbars in the
•OS X and Linux® versions. Click the Application Builder button to switch from the Model Builder to the Application
Builder and start building an application based on your model.

Settings Window
•This is the main window for entering all of the specifications of the model, including the dimensions of the geometry,
properties of the materials, boundary conditions and initial conditions, and any other information that the solver will need to
carry out the simulation. The picture below shows the Settings window for the Geometry node.
 Plot Windows
•These are the windows for graphical output. In addition to the Graphics window, Plot windows are used for
visualizing results. Several Plot windows can be used to show multiple results simultaneously. A special case
is the Convergence Plot window, an automatically generated Plot window that displays a graphical
indication of the convergence of the solution process while a model is running.

Information Windows
•These are the windows for nongraphical information. They include:

• Messages: Various information about the current COMSOL Multiphysics session is displayed in this
window.
• Progress: Progress information from the solver in addition to stop buttons.
• Log: Information from the solver, such as the number of degrees of freedom, solution time, and solver
iteration data.
• Table: Numerical data in table format as defined in the Results node.
• External Process: Provides a control panel for cluster, cloud, and batch jobs.
 GRAPHICS WINDOW TOOLBAR

GRAPHICS WINDOW — The Graphics window presents

interactive graphics for the Geometry, Mesh, and Results nodes.
Operations include rotating, panning, zooming, and selecting.

INFORMATION W1NDOWS — The Information windows will display vital

model information during the simulation, such as the solution time, solution
progress, mesh statistics, solver logs, and, when available, results tables.
An Intro to “HOW TO START……”

To create an You can set up a model Start by selecting the space

application based on guided by the Model dimension for your model
your model, click the Wizard or start from component: 3D, 2D
Application a Blank Model as
Axisymmetric, 2D, 1D
Builder button, shown in the figure
below.
Axisymmetric, or 0D.
accessible from the
Home tab in the
ribbon
These are organized in a number of physics Select the Study type that represents the
branches in order to make them easy to locate. solver or set of solvers that will be used
These branches do not directly correspond to for the computation. Finally, click Done.
products. When products are added to your The desktop is now displayed with the
COMSOL Multiphysics installation, one or more model tree configured according to the
branches will be populated with additional physics choices you made in the Model Wizard.
KEY FEATURES OF COMSOL…….
1. Multiphysics Environment
• The hallmark of COMSOL is its ability
to simulate multiple physics
phenomena simultaneously.
• This capability is particularly important
when dealing with coupled systems
where different physical processes
interact, such as in thermo-mechanical
systems or electrochemical cells.
• Users can easily select the necessary
physics modules and combine them in a
single model, making it easier to
simulate real-world processes.
2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• COMSOL’s GUI is intuitive, providing a
step-by-step workflow for setting up
simulations.
• Users can define the geometry of the
model, select the materials, apply
boundary conditions, and set the physics
equations through a series of menus.
• This interface allows for both experienced
and beginner users to build models
without needing to write complex code.
The drag-and-drop style interface
simplifies tasks such as meshing, defining
parameters, and visualizing results.
3. Predefined and Custom Physics
• The software comes with a range of
predefined physics modules that cater to
different fields, including fluid flow, heat
transfer, electromagnetics, chemical
reactions, and structural mechanics. Each
module contains the necessary equations
and boundary conditions for specific
applications.
• However, users also have the flexibility
to define their own equations and models
using the Physics Builder.
• This feature is particularly useful for
researchers dealing with novel or highly
specialized phenomena.
 4. CAD Import and Geometry Building
• COMSOL allows users to build the
geometry of the models within its
platform or import geometries from
external CAD software.
• It supports a variety of file formats,
enabling easy integration with existing
designs. This feature is especially
useful in engineering fields where
precise geometry is critical for
accurate simulations.
Basics of Setting up a Simulation in
COMSOL
 1. Geometry Creation
• The first step in any simulation
is creating the geometry of the
model. In COMSOL, users can
either draw simple shapes (e.g.,
rectangles, circles, or more
complex 3D geometries)
directly within the software or
import CAD models for
intricate designs.
• The geometry must accurately
reflect the physical setup to
ensure reliable simulation
results.
2. Material Selection
• Once the geometry is created, users
define the materials for each part of
the model.
• COMSOL has a built-in material
library that includes the properties
of various materials, such as thermal
conductivity, density, electrical
permittivity, and mechanical
strength.
• Users can also define custom
materials with specific properties
when needed.
3. Physics Setup
• In this step, the user selects the
physics that govern the
simulation, such as heat transfer,
fluid flow, or structural analysis.
COMSOL allows users to apply
boundary conditions, initial
conditions, and external forces to
specific parts of the geometry.
• When dealing with multiple
physics, users can specify how
different phenomena interact and
influence each other.
4. Meshing
• The meshing process divides the
geometry into smaller elements
(finite elements) to solve the
governing equations numerically.
• COMSOL automatically generates
meshes, but users can customize
the mesh size and refinement to
balance between accuracy and
computational efficiency. A finer
mesh provides more accurate
results but requires more
computational power.
 5. Solving
• After setting up the model,
COMSOL uses various
numerical solvers to solve the
equations governing the physics.
• The type of solver depends on
the complexity and nature of the
problem (steady-state vs.
transient, linear vs. nonlinear).
• Users can monitor the solution
process in real time, which
provides insight into the behavior
of the system as it evolves.
1 In the model tree, right-click Study 1 and select Study Steps > Stationary >
Stationary to add a second stationary study step to the Model Builder .
6. Post-Processing and Visualization

• COMSOL provides extensive post-processing tools

for analyzing and visualizing simulation results.
• Users can generate plots of temperature
distribution, electric fields, fluid velocity, and other
relevant physical quantities.
• The software supports various types of plots,
including surface plots, isosurfaces, streamlines,
and vector fields.
• This visual representation helps users better
understand the behavior of their system and
identify areas that may need optimization.
Advantages of Using COMSOL
• User-Friendly Interface: The GUI simplifies complex simulations,
making it accessible to users with varying levels of expertise.
• Multiphysics Capabilities: COMSOL’s strength lies in its ability to
handle multiphysics problems, which are common in many real-world
applications.
• Customizability: Users can define their own physics models and
equations, offering flexibility for research and development.
• Integration with CAD Tools: The ability to import CAD geometries
and work with complex designs makes it ideal for product
development and testing.
CONCLUSION:
• COMSOL Multiphysics is a versatile and comprehensive tool for
simulating a wide range of physical phenomena. Its multiphysics
environment, user-friendly interface, and strong post-processing
capabilities make it an essential tool in fields such as engineering,
material science, and physics. With its ability to handle both
predefined and custom simulations, COMSOL is well-suited for
academic research, industrial design, and problem-solving in many
different domains.