Transient dynamic nonlinear analysis using MIMD computer architectures

This paper presents research on the use of homogeneous parallel and heterog eneous distributed computers for finite-element analysis of transient dynam ic problems using a message passing interface. The appropriate computer arc hitectures are discussed, and this review is the basis for the development of a new definition of computational efficiency for heterogeneously distrib uted finite-element analysis. A code for the transient nonlinear analysis o f reinforced concrete plates is profiled. It is demonstrated that although the code is efficient for homogeneous computing systems a new message passi ng procedure must be developed for heterogeneously distributed systems. A n ew algorithm is developed and tested on a heterogeneous system of workstati ons.