Preparing for Modeling
This section is intended to guide you through some selection processes when modeling with the AC/DC Module. General modeling approaches and strategies are covered. Several topics about the art of modeling might not be found in ordinary textbooks on electromagnetic theory. This section discusses these topics:
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What Problems Can You Solve? — Can I use the quasistatic physics interfaces or do I need wave propagation?
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Selecting the Space Dimension for the Model Geometry — Is a 2D, 3D, or 2D axisymmetric geometry best for my model?
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Simplifying the Geometry Using Boundary Conditions — When do I need to resolve the thickness of thin shells?
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Applying Electromagnetic Sources — What sources can I use to excite the fields?
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Selecting a Study Type — Is my problem suited for time-dependent or time-harmonic (frequency domain) formulations?
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Meshing and Solving — What issues might arise with respect to meshing and solving?
For general guidelines for effective modeling, see Building a COMSOL Multiphysics Model in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual.
General Tips
These general tips about modeling help you to decide what to include in a simulation and what can be done to minimize the size of a problem. Before starting to model, try to answer the following questions first:
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What is the purpose of the model?
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What information do you want to extract from the model?
Models never capture all the details of reality.
Increasing the complexity of a model to make it more accurate usually makes it more expensive to simulate. A complex model is also more difficult to manage and interpret than a simple one.
It can be more accurate and efficient to use several simple models instead of a single, complex one.