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. These versions require MacOS 10.9 or newer (but no longer tested below 10.11).

NairnFEAMPM Download	Size (MB)	Updated
NairnFEAMPM 8.0, 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. This version is for those wanting to try out the software may require a separate install of zerces to work (at least in recent version of MacOS).	6.0	4 JAN 2021
NairnFEAMPM 8.0, No Binaries - This version is also full-featured version of NairnFEAMPM, but it does not contain any binaries (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 on "Code Engine Development" for running in this mode.	3.1	4 JAN 2021

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 should switch to checking out and compiling the source code to create external binaries. See the application's "Code Engine Development" help topic for more information.

Limitations on Embedded Binaries

NairnFEAMPM (and NairnFEAMPMViz) can be delivered as a stand-alone package with all compiled tools and libraries embedded within the application's resources. While this approach is good to quickly try out the software with calculations, it has limitations:

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

Both these limitations are removed by checking out and compiling the source code to create your own binaries as well as installing your own version of xerces. Once this approach is set up, you can use either NairnFEAMPM app download in the above table and refer to 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.

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."