Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GECKO (Design for IGA-type discretization workflows)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31
The GECKO project aims to bridge the gap between Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) by integrating computational models into industrial workflows. Traditional CAE modeling is slow and error-prone in its preprocess phase, making it inefficient for industries like automotive and aerospace where the mesh generation can take up weeks or even moths to be completed and cleaned. To address this, GECKO leverages Isogeometric B-Rep Analysis (IBRA), which preserves exact CAD geometries in numerical simulations, and the Shifted Boundary Method (SBM), as alternatives for the application of boundary conditions on trimmed edges.
To achieve its objectives, the GECKO project brings together five world-class research institutions: CIMNE-CERCA, TUM, UNIPV, KU Leuven, and AUTH, which have recruited 10 highly qualified and motivated Doctoral Candidates (DCs):
DC1- Nicolò Antonelli (CIMNE) works on CFD techniques in IGA using a shifted boundary approach, DC2- Polytimi Zisimopoulou (CIMNE) focuses on IBRA applications in solid mechanics, and DC3- Andrea Gorgi (CIMNE) develops a shifted boundary method for implicit contact mechanics in IGA. DC4- Juan Antonio Camarotti (TUM) investigates co-simulation strategies for multi- field problems in the context of IBRA and unfitted methods, while DC5- Maram Alkhlaifat (TUM) studies large deformation structural elements with IBRA. DC6- Lucas Venta (UNIPV) develops mathematical tools for immersed IGA, and DC7- Angelos Pagonas (UNIPV) focuses on Immersed IGA for Structural Dynamics. DC8- Doğuhan Kiliçarslan (KU Leuven) works on efficient transient acoustic analysis through IGA and model order reduction, while DC9- Philip Le (KU Leuven) develops MOR techniques for coupled vibro-acoustic systems. DC10- Wei Li (AUTH) focuses on implementing IGA in the design and analysis of machine elements.
Additionally, the project has five associated partners, four leading companies (BETA_CAE, IDIADA, DYNAMORE, and AIRBUS), ensuring practical relevance, knowledge transfer, and alignment with industry needs, and UNIFI, which provides key expertise in hierarchical splines for refinement and coarsening adaptively. Additional support from UPC and Leuven.Inc helps provide doctoral training and stimulate the DCs’ entrepreneurial skills, creating a strong connection between academia, industry, and innovation.
To achieve its objectives, the GECKO project brings together five world-class research institutions: CIMNE-CERCA, TUM, UNIPV, KU Leuven, and AUTH, which have recruited 10 highly qualified and motivated Doctoral Candidates (DCs):
DC1- Nicolò Antonelli (CIMNE) works on CFD techniques in IGA using a shifted boundary approach, DC2- Polytimi Zisimopoulou (CIMNE) focuses on IBRA applications in solid mechanics, and DC3- Andrea Gorgi (CIMNE) develops a shifted boundary method for implicit contact mechanics in IGA. DC4- Juan Antonio Camarotti (TUM) investigates co-simulation strategies for multi- field problems in the context of IBRA and unfitted methods, while DC5- Maram Alkhlaifat (TUM) studies large deformation structural elements with IBRA. DC6- Lucas Venta (UNIPV) develops mathematical tools for immersed IGA, and DC7- Angelos Pagonas (UNIPV) focuses on Immersed IGA for Structural Dynamics. DC8- Doğuhan Kiliçarslan (KU Leuven) works on efficient transient acoustic analysis through IGA and model order reduction, while DC9- Philip Le (KU Leuven) develops MOR techniques for coupled vibro-acoustic systems. DC10- Wei Li (AUTH) focuses on implementing IGA in the design and analysis of machine elements.
Additionally, the project has five associated partners, four leading companies (BETA_CAE, IDIADA, DYNAMORE, and AIRBUS), ensuring practical relevance, knowledge transfer, and alignment with industry needs, and UNIFI, which provides key expertise in hierarchical splines for refinement and coarsening adaptively. Additional support from UPC and Leuven.Inc helps provide doctoral training and stimulate the DCs’ entrepreneurial skills, creating a strong connection between academia, industry, and innovation.
During the first 24 months of the project, GECKO made steady progress in developing innovative tools to seamlessly connect CAD design with simulation (CAE).
DC1 – Nicolò Antonelli advanced computational fluid dynamics by combining the SBM with Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), focusing on Laplace equations, Stokes flow with VMS stabilization, and Non-Newtonian fluids. This work improved stability and accuracy while avoiding meshing complexities, laying the groundwork for future Navier-Stokes applications.
DC2 – Polytimi Zisimopoulou focused on non-linear solid mechanics with IGA, developing methods to handle trimming in 3D geometries, assess mesh dependency in IBRA applications, and study nonlinear material behavior within Kratos-Multiphysics.
DC3 – Andrea Gorgi integrated SBM and IGA to enhance structural and contact mechanics simulations, implementing a penalty-free Nitsche formulation that improved the enforcement of contact conditions with greater accuracy and efficiency.
DC4 – Juan Ignacio Camarotti developed computational methods for Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and Acoustic-Structure Interaction (ASI), addressing challenges in coupling FEM, BEM, and IGA for robust and scalable multi-physics simulations.
DC5 – Maram Alkhaifat implemented a Reissner-Mindlin shell element within the IBRA framework, successfully validating it through benchmark tests and delivering new tools for thin-walled structure analysis in Kratos.
DC6 – Lucas Venta Viñuela applied the phase-field method to model brittle and ductile fracture, using high-order formulations such as the Cahn-Hilliard equation, leveraging IGA’s smooth basis functions to increase accuracy and reduce computational costs.
DC7 – Angelos Pagonas advanced immersed IGA techniques for dynamics, expanding studies on mass lumping and stabilization from 1D cases to 2D test problems using a quadtree scheme for wave propagation and eigenfrequency analysis.
DC8 – Doğuhan Kiliçarslan applied IGA workflows to time-domain acoustic problems, combining SBM for moving sources with Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques to efficiently solve large-scale acoustic simulations.
DC9 – Philip Le developed MOR techniques for vibro-acoustic analysis, focusing on improving the efficiency of coupled simulations using isogeometric boundary discretization.
DC10 – Wei Li worked on FEM and IGA simulations using workflows such as ANSA-Epilysis-META and ANSA-Kratos-Rhino, and developed solvers for Poisson equations and tension problems, establishing a foundation for future research on contact mechanics and helical gear contact.
Through their coordinated work during these first two years, the DCs have made remarkable progress, delivering new methods and tools that not only push the boundaries of computational mechanics but also address the practical needs of industry sectors.
DC1 – Nicolò Antonelli advanced computational fluid dynamics by combining the SBM with Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), focusing on Laplace equations, Stokes flow with VMS stabilization, and Non-Newtonian fluids. This work improved stability and accuracy while avoiding meshing complexities, laying the groundwork for future Navier-Stokes applications.
DC2 – Polytimi Zisimopoulou focused on non-linear solid mechanics with IGA, developing methods to handle trimming in 3D geometries, assess mesh dependency in IBRA applications, and study nonlinear material behavior within Kratos-Multiphysics.
DC3 – Andrea Gorgi integrated SBM and IGA to enhance structural and contact mechanics simulations, implementing a penalty-free Nitsche formulation that improved the enforcement of contact conditions with greater accuracy and efficiency.
DC4 – Juan Ignacio Camarotti developed computational methods for Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and Acoustic-Structure Interaction (ASI), addressing challenges in coupling FEM, BEM, and IGA for robust and scalable multi-physics simulations.
DC5 – Maram Alkhaifat implemented a Reissner-Mindlin shell element within the IBRA framework, successfully validating it through benchmark tests and delivering new tools for thin-walled structure analysis in Kratos.
DC6 – Lucas Venta Viñuela applied the phase-field method to model brittle and ductile fracture, using high-order formulations such as the Cahn-Hilliard equation, leveraging IGA’s smooth basis functions to increase accuracy and reduce computational costs.
DC7 – Angelos Pagonas advanced immersed IGA techniques for dynamics, expanding studies on mass lumping and stabilization from 1D cases to 2D test problems using a quadtree scheme for wave propagation and eigenfrequency analysis.
DC8 – Doğuhan Kiliçarslan applied IGA workflows to time-domain acoustic problems, combining SBM for moving sources with Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques to efficiently solve large-scale acoustic simulations.
DC9 – Philip Le developed MOR techniques for vibro-acoustic analysis, focusing on improving the efficiency of coupled simulations using isogeometric boundary discretization.
DC10 – Wei Li worked on FEM and IGA simulations using workflows such as ANSA-Epilysis-META and ANSA-Kratos-Rhino, and developed solvers for Poisson equations and tension problems, establishing a foundation for future research on contact mechanics and helical gear contact.
Through their coordinated work during these first two years, the DCs have made remarkable progress, delivering new methods and tools that not only push the boundaries of computational mechanics but also address the practical needs of industry sectors.
The project has successfully developed innovative methods to work directly with complex CAD geometries, eliminating the need for traditional and time-consuming mesh preparation. These advances have been applied across fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, contact mechanics, and acoustic simulations, and have been fully integrated into the Kratos-Multiphysics open-source platform. As a result, both industry and academia can now easily access and apply these developments, making simulations faster, more accurate, and better adapted to real-world engineering challenges.
In terms of dissemination, a major achievement was the publication of a Q1 journal article in the CMAME journal. Other highlights include the GECKO Mini-Symposium and the first GECKO Public Technical Course at ISMA 2024, and participation in the SEMNI-GIMC Workshop. At ISMA 2024, DC1 – Nicolò Antonelli, DC4 – Juan Ignacio Camarotti, DC7 – Angelos Pagonas, and DC9 – Philip Le presented their work, covering topics such as CAD-integrated IGA, trimmed multipatch shells, and vibro-acoustic simulations. Additionally, two GECKO workshops have also been organized during the first two years of the project.
To keep the project aligned with industrial needs, GECKO participated in online meetings with the industry involving companies such as IDIADA, Toyota, ANSA, and LS-DYNA. These meetings provided valuable feedback, ensuring the practical relevance of GECKO's developments.
The project has participated in several editions of the European Researchers' Night, one of Europe’s largest science outreach events. DC10 – Wei Li took part in MEDNIGHT at the Athena Research Center in Xanthi, engaging with citizens and the Marie Curie Alumni Association Greece Chapter. In Italy, the UNIPV team participated in the event in Pavia, presenting research on structural mechanics, seismic safety, and biomedical applications, while connecting with the public to demonstrate how computational mechanics impacts daily life
In terms of dissemination, a major achievement was the publication of a Q1 journal article in the CMAME journal. Other highlights include the GECKO Mini-Symposium and the first GECKO Public Technical Course at ISMA 2024, and participation in the SEMNI-GIMC Workshop. At ISMA 2024, DC1 – Nicolò Antonelli, DC4 – Juan Ignacio Camarotti, DC7 – Angelos Pagonas, and DC9 – Philip Le presented their work, covering topics such as CAD-integrated IGA, trimmed multipatch shells, and vibro-acoustic simulations. Additionally, two GECKO workshops have also been organized during the first two years of the project.
To keep the project aligned with industrial needs, GECKO participated in online meetings with the industry involving companies such as IDIADA, Toyota, ANSA, and LS-DYNA. These meetings provided valuable feedback, ensuring the practical relevance of GECKO's developments.
The project has participated in several editions of the European Researchers' Night, one of Europe’s largest science outreach events. DC10 – Wei Li took part in MEDNIGHT at the Athena Research Center in Xanthi, engaging with citizens and the Marie Curie Alumni Association Greece Chapter. In Italy, the UNIPV team participated in the event in Pavia, presenting research on structural mechanics, seismic safety, and biomedical applications, while connecting with the public to demonstrate how computational mechanics impacts daily life