NairnFEAMPM

NairnFEAMPM is a Mac-only application to create simulations, run them, and visualize them.

Introduction

The NairnFEAMPM application is finite element and material point method analysis software for the Macintosh. NairnFEAMPM is being developed by Prof. John A. Nairn from the Wood Science and Engineering Department Oregon State University. This application is free but it is a dynamic work in progress as part of an active research program.

If you are not using a Mac, you can do almost the same things using the java application NairnFEAMPMViz.

Downloads

The application NairnFEAMPM is a 64 bit, Intel-only application. Install by expanding the downloaded zip file and dragging NairnFEAMPM to your Applications folder.

NairnFEAMPM Download	Size (MB)	Updated
NairnFEAMPM 7.1, With Binaries - This version is the full-featured version of NairnFEAMPM and it contains compiled binaries for finite element analysis and for material point method analysis along with the xerces library that is used to process XML data. These version is for those wanting to try out the software and the calculations, but it has two limitations.	6.0	27 JUN 2019
NairnFEAMPM 7.1, No Binaries - This version is also full-featured version of NairnFEAMPM, but it does not contain bany inaries (which makes it smaller). This version is intended for those checking out and compiling the source code and running running the binaries they create. See application help for running in this mode.	6.0	27 JUN 2019
NairnFEAMPM 5.1 App Store Version - NairnFEAMPM is also available on the Mac App Store (although Apple offer deletes apps without notices), but it is old of the application. If you found this page, you should download one the above two options instead. If you think you need to use the App Store, see additional information below.	-	24 MAR 2014

After starting the application, please read the help information (in the "Help" menu) menu to get started (including some quick start, sample calculations) and to see "what's new" (for previous users). If for some reason, you cannot get the binaries to run on your computer, you can convert to using external binaries by following the "Code Engine Development" help topic. Using external boundaries also allows you to keep up to date with lastest code engines without needing to wait for NairnFEAMPM application updates.

Limitations on Embedded Binaries

NairnFEAMPM can be delivered as a stand-alone app with all binaries and executables embedded within the application resourses. While this approach good to quickly try out the software with applications, it has limmitations:

1. The binaries have the be compiled with standard Apple compiler and linked to C++ libraries avaiable in standard MacOS installations. Unfortunately, the Apple compiler does not support OpenMP that is used for parallel coding. When using embedding binaries, you are limited to serial calculations. It is also possible your installation will not even have the correct C++ libraries available (and the no calculations can be done).
2. It is difficult to update binaries when new versions become available.

Both these limitions are removed by checking out the projects and compiling your own binaries as well as installing your own version of xerces. Once this approach is set up, you can use the version above with no binaries and see the "Code Engine Development" help to learn how to run the binaries you create. Finally, when new versions are available, just update and recompile the project; NairnFEAMPM will use the new ones immediately. but these may not be the current binaries. You can see app help topic on "Code Engine Development" to learn how to work with latest code. This version requires MacOS 10.9 or newer (and no longer tested below 10.11).

App Store Version

The App Store version is ready to run and can do both FEA and MPM calculations, but it is sandboxed application. While sandboxing may be a benefit to users for security, it is not fully compatible with some uses of NairnFEAMPM that treat your computer as your workstation for research rather than as a sandbox for play time. The main differences needed for sandboxing are listed below; if you need any of these missing features, simply switch to the full-feature version instead. If not, the sandboxed version should be fine.

Workspace Folder

The App Store version cannot read or write any of your own files unless you grant it specific permission. The solution is for you to designate a workspace folder with that permission. You will be asked to pick a workspace folder the first time NairnFEAMPM is launched. You can change this selection at any time in the preferences window. All calculations should be saved in this folder only.

External Code Engines

A powerful way to use NairnFEAMPM is for code engine development, but running executable binaries in arbitrary locations is a challenge for a sandboxed application. The solution was to eliminate this option for the App Store version. If you want to run external code engines, you need to use the full-featured version.

Background Processes

The full-featured version lets you submit long calculations to background process that will run even if you quit NairnFEAMPM. Creating such independent processes within a sandboxed application does not appear possible. If you want to be allowed to submit background jobs, you need to use the full-featured version. In addition the process info window is only needed for monitoring background jobs and therefore it is only available in the full-featured version.

Scripting

Although NairnFEAMPM is a scriptable application, it is a challenge to support robust scripting options in a sandboxed application (and python, which I prefer, seems to not be allowed). As a result, the scripts menu is only available in the full-featured version. If you would like to use scripts to control calculations, you should switch to the full-featured version.

Free Registration

The NairnFEAMPM system is free but uses an unlocking code to help monitor its use. By registering you will hear about developments and/or about any problems that might arise. To get a free registration code, use the "Reguest Registration Code…" command in the "Help" menu. A free code will usually arrive by email within a few days. While waiting you can use the application in "Trial Mode."