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
Starting with NairnFEAMPM 5.1, this application is 64 bit, Intel-only application (see legacy downloads if this version does not work for you). Install by mounting the downloaded disk image and dragging NairnFEAMPM to your Applications folder.
| NairnFEAMPM Download | Size (MB) | Updated |
|---|---|---|
| NairnFEAMPM 5.1 Full Featured Version - This 64 bit application is the full-featured version of NairnFEAMPM and it contains compiled binaries for finite element analysis (NairnFEA 4.0.0) and for material point method analysis (NairnMPM 10.0.0) along with the xerces library (version 3.1.1) that is used to process XML data. This version requires MacOS 10.7 or newer (it might work in 10.6). | 4.8 | 10 FEB 2014 |
| NairnFEAMPM 5.0 App Store Version - NairnFEAMPM is also available on the Mac App Store, but it has different version. The current version in the store is 5.0, and it follows Apple's strict new security rules called sandboxing. See below for what this style means and therefore to determine which version you need. | - | 25 JAN 2012 |
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.
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.
Legacy Downloads
If you do not have MacOS 10.6 or newer and a Mac with 64 bit Intel chips, the above version will not work for you. The downloads below are some legacy versions that might work. The legacy downloads have no binaries and will not do any calculations. They can be set up to run the latest calculations by downloading and compiling the code engine source code and setting the NairnFEAMPM Code preferences to run those binaries. You will have latest code engines, but will be missing the latest features in NairnFEAMPM. You can still run most things, but might have to resort to using XML commands for features in the binaries that were developed after these versions were released.
| NairnFEAMPM Legacy Download | Size (MB) | Updated |
|---|---|---|
| NairnFEAMPM 5.1 - no binaries - This 32 bit version should only be used if your Mac is 32 bit only and therefore cannot run the 64 bit version above. It requires MacOS Lion (10.7) or newer, but might work in Snow Leopard (10.6). | 2.8 | 10 FEB 2014 |
| NairnFEAMPM 4.0 - no binaries - This version should be used only if your Mac has MacOS Leopard (10.5) with Intel chips. It should also work in MacOS Snow Leopard (10.6), but try the first version in this table first. | 3.1 | 19 JAN 2012 |
| NairnFEAMPM 3.0 - no binaries - This version should be used only if your Mac has MacOS Tiger (10.4) and/or has a Power PC processor. | 2.8 | 9 DEC 2010 |
To compile and use the parallel version of the code, you will need to use a compiler that is new enough to give stable code. If no such compiler is available, you may be limited to running in serial mode.
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."
Acknowledgments
NairnFEAMPM is being developed as part of the author's research program. This program have been supported by various organizations. Some specific acknowledgments go to:
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Nanotechnology Grant Subcontract 2103050
- Center for the Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions (C-SAFE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, under Subcontract B341493
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Mechanics of Materials program: CMS-9713356
- Mechanics of Materials program: CMS-940177