Understanding Initial Conditions

Force Equilibrium Verification

The primary goal of the diagnostic phase is to confirm that the simulator correctly interprets Newton’s Laws of Motion. This begins with a simple scenario: an object at rest on a horizontal surface, experiencing no net force.

We introduce a controlled external force – for example, a constant applied torque or a gentle push – and meticulously track its effect. The simulator must accurately predict the resulting acceleration and angular velocity based on this force.

F = ma; τ = Iα

Material Properties Validation

Alongside forces, material properties like density, Young’s modulus, and Poisson's ratio must be validated. A common test involves applying stress to a simulated solid object.

The simulator should accurately predict the resulting strain – the deformation of the material under load – based on these defined properties. Dimensional consistency is paramount here.

σ = Eε; τ = 1/G (where σ, E, ε, τ and G are stress, Young’s modulus, strain, shear stress and shear modulus respectively)

Coordinate System Calibration

A correctly calibrated coordinate system is absolutely essential. The simulator must accurately translate physical forces and displacements into numerical values within its simulated space.

This involves verifying the origin of the coordinate system, ensuring consistent units (e.g., meters for distance, Newtons for force), and validating that rotations are performed with precision.

Transient Response Analysis

Finally, the diagnostic phase includes observing the system’s response to a sudden change – an impulse or a step function. This tests the simulator's ability to handle dynamic behavior.

The simulated system should exhibit expected transient effects like oscillations or damped motion, accurately reflecting the underlying physics and numerical integration methods employed.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Diagnostic Simulation: Establishing Baseline Physics and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.