For over ten years, Aether Engineering has been using code_aster to meet its industrial simulation needs, as well as to take on new technical challenges. Ioannis P. Christovasilis (PhD, structural engineer and developer) and Lorenzo Riparbelli (PhD, structural engineer), co-directors of the company, explain their choice.

What is Aether Engineering's core business?

Historically, Aether Engineering began by focusing on numerical modelling for the services, structures, and consultancy sectors. Over time, we gradually expanded our scope to cover areas where we identified a genuine, demonstrable need such as industrial software. Our aim is to develop cross-cutting solutions capable of addressing the requirements of what might be termed non-conventional systems. To achieve this, we explore human-computer interaction in order to develop accessible workflows that enable all users to carry out complex analyses.

What were your initial needs in terms of open-source industrial simulation?

We turned to open-source industrial simulation to address needs that proprietary solutions simply do not cover. Take timber structures as an example: there is no proprietary solution dedicated to this segment. For a company like Aether Engineering, the primary challenge is therefore either to develop a solution from scratch or to configure an existing one.

To overcome this barrier, we chose to leverage code_aster — an open solution that can be customised and configured to suit our requirements. In practical terms, it is possible to incorporate our specific timber models in order to develop material behaviour laws suited to this organic material (using MFront), which behaves quite differently from the conventional materials used in the construction industry. This can be integrated with the solver's contact mechanics and dynamic analysis capabilities, which are naturally geared towards construction and structural mechanics more broadly.

Why did you choose code_aster?

In the market, code_aster's primary differentiating factor is its versatility. It covers structural, mechanical, hydromechanical, thermomechanical, seismic, foundation, and geotechnical aspects, as well as 3D connections and assemblies. Using an open-source solution offers complete transparency over the source code and full control over one's data. Beyond that, it is also highly competitive on cost compared to commercial alternatives. Finally, it sits within a vibrant, open, and collaborative ecosystem.

For which uses and applications do you use code_aster?

We have been using code_aster for over ten years now. Having first deployed it for our timber analyses and calculations, we have since extended its use across all of our activities. For instance, we use it to automate the translation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) data into structural solutions, running code_aster via a web application in this context. We also use code_aster as part of a European project on digital permitting for the construction of structural assets, which involves substantial work around complex workflows.

Alongside code_aster, we also use SALOME, as well as the Docker images and the Singularity solution made available by Simvia.

You are now collaborating with Simvia on high-value-added projects. Could you tell us more?

Indeed! We are currently working on automating CFD coupling with code_aster for structural applications. As part of this collaboration, the experts at Simvia have taken charge of the CFD simulation, whilst together we defined the methods and data formats. Despite the complexity of the exercise, we have achieved very strong results, which we will be presenting at an upcoming conference in Paris. In the medium term, the aim is to make this collaborative work available to the entire open-source community, in the form of the first reproducible, transparent open-source framework for conducting wind impact analyses on structures.

In your view, what are the main advantages of these open-source solutions?

The key advantage of these solutions lies in the ability to customise and configure them freely. Furthermore, the Docker images and containers developed by Simvia make the tools straightforward to get to grips with, and allow them to be run on a personal computer, a server, or via the web. This flexibility is a genuine asset that opens up a wealth of possibilities for companies of all sizes and engineering consultancies alike.

At Aether Engineering, by building on all of these strengths, we have developed a model based on a continuous frictional contact formulation that allows us to model and analyse the bonding behaviour of timber structures in buildings. Frictional contact — in our case, under dynamic conditions — is one of the most challenging application areas in computational mechanics. Yet thanks to code_aster and its robust, advanced formulations of this phenomenon, we have succeeded in developing a model that performs remarkably well against real-scale seismic tests. The subject has been the focus of a paper published last year.

What advice would you give to a mid-sized company considering adopting open source for industrial simulation?

The primary challenge is not a financial one — it is, above all, a human one. Adopting open-source solutions requires a significant investment of time and expertise in order to achieve meaningful results. It is equally essential to define a detailed roadmap with realistic objectives from the outset. This approach helps secure a substantial return on investment that proprietary solutions simply cannot match: upskilling teams, developing cross-functional competencies, saving time, boosting productivity, and optimising both processes and solutions. Finally, to maximise the chances of success, it is vital to surround yourself with the right experts such as the team at Simvia!