Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Dymola

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Developer(s)
  
Dassault Systèmes

Platform
  
x86

Written in
  
C++

Stable release
  
Dymola 2017 FD01 / December 2, 2016

Operating system
  
Microsoft Windows, Linux

Type
  
Modelica implementation

Dymola is a commercial modeling and simulation environment based on the open Modelica modeling language. Large and complex systems are composed of component models; mathematical equations describe the dynamic behavior of the system. Developed by the European company Dassault Systèmes, Dymola is available as a standalone product and integrated in 3DEXPERIENCE as part of CATIA.

Contents

Dymola 2017 FD01 supports version 3.3 of the Modelica language and version 3.2.2 of the Modelica Standard Library, as well as versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI).

History

The first version of Dymola was initially designed in 1978 by Hilding Elmqvist, for his PhD thesis at Lund Institute of Technology (later part of Lund University). This first version of Dymola was based on the Dynamic Modeling Language (also called Dymola) and was implemented in Simula 67. Later it was re-implemented in Pascal and C++.

In 1992, Elmqvist created the Swedish company Dynasim AB to continue the development of Dymola. In 2006, Dassault Systèmes acquired Dynasim AB and started to integrate Dymola in CATIA.

In 1996, Elmqvist initiated the Modelica design effort. The goal was to develop an object-oriented language for modeling of technical systems to reuse and exchange dynamic system models in a standardized format. Modelica is based on the Dymola language, but the experience with other modeling languages have been taken into account. In September 1997, version 1.0 of the Modelica specification was released which was the basis for a prototype implementation within Dymola. In year 2000, the non-profit Modelica Association was formed to manage the continually evolving Modelica language and the development of the free Modelica Standard Library. Since 2002, only the Modelica language is supported in Dymola.

Applications, libraries

Dymola has unique multi-engineering capabilities which means that models can consist of components from many engineering domains. Libraries in many different engineering domains contain components for mechanical, electrical, control, thermal, pneumatic, hydraulic, power train, thermodynamics, vehicle dynamics, air conditioning, etc.

Model design tools

  • The Model Calibration option is based on a process where measured data from a real device is used to tune parameters such that the simulation results are in good agreement with the measured data.
  • The Design Optimization option is used to tune parameters of a device or its controller to improve system dynamics for multiple criteria and multiple cases.
  • The Model Management includes support for encryption of models, version control from Dymola and utilities for checking, testing and comparing models.

    • Libraries

  • The Powertrain Library (designed, implemented, and maintained by DLR, the German Aerospace Center, Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Oberpfaffenhofen) contains components to enable the simulation of the whole powertrain system including the resulting motion of the vehicle. This enables the prediction of attributes such as vehicle performance, fuel economy and driveability. The library provides components of varying detail to model transmissions, drivelines and the longitudinal vehicle dynamics plus driver models for carrying out different tests.
  • The Vehicle Dynamics Library (developed, supported, and maintained by Modelon AB) is used to simulate vehicle dynamics behavior and handling and contains components such as tires, driver models, struts, wishbones, and anti-roll linkages as well as complete front and rear suspensions.
  • The Smart Electric Drives Library (designed, implemented, and maintained by AIT, the Austrian Institute of Technology) allows modeling and simulation of an entire electric drive systems and is ideal for simulation of hybrid electrical vehicles and new alternative concepts with electrical auxiliaries.
  • The Hydraulics Library (developed, supported, and maintained by Modelon AB) is a powerful yet simple-to-use tool including models of pumps, motors, cylinders, restrictions valves, hydraulic lines, lumped volumes and sensors.
  • The Pneumatics Library (developed, supported, and maintained by Modelon AB) provides basic model classes for the modeling of cylinders and motors, valves and nozzles, lumped volumes, lines and sensors.
  • The Air Conditioning Library (developed, supported, and maintained by Modelon AB) is a full-featured model library for refrigeration and A/C cycles with typical working media such as R134a and even CO2.It contains advanced two-phase flow and air handling models for all design phases from conceptual design to control implementation.

    • Code and model export

    For most steps during system development (dimensioning, detailed design, implementation), it is important to have access to a C code image of the model to run HardWare in The Loop, Rapid prototyping simulations or to build simulators for validation or training purposes. Several options are available to achieve those activities.

    Interfacing with other software

  • Interfacing to CAD: Real-time 3D animation and import of CAD files.
  • Interfacing Dymola and SIMULIA software: It is possible to interface Dymola and the SIMULIA tools Abaqus, iSight and Fiper for cosimulation purposes for instance.
  • Interfacing Dymola and Simulink
  • Import of Simulink models using the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard defined in the MODELISAR project
  • Export to Simulink by generation of S function, using the Simulink Interface option
  • Export to Simulink using the Functional Mock-up Interface standard, using the third-party FMI Toolbox by Modelon

    • References

    Dymola Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA