# Engineering Simulation: From Design to Virtual Validation Use simulation to evaluate product behavior under realistic operating conditions, enabling better design, engineering and production decisions. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 RT)Definition of Engineering Simulation **Engineering simulation** uses computational models to predict how a product, material or system will perform under defined operating conditions. Engineers can vary materials, loads and boundary conditions to compare design alternatives and identify potential issues before physical testing begins. Dassault Systèmes' modeling and simulation (MODSIM) approach connects design changes with associated analyses, reducing the need for repeated data preparation. Multidisciplinary teams can then evaluate current configurations using **simulation software** to make better-informed decisions. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB)Engineering Simulation Domains and Applications ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB AT1)Structural analysis Predict how machine components and assemblies respond to forces, constraints and operating loads. Engineers can assess stress, strain, displacement, vibration, fatigue and **impact simulation** scenarios to identify weak points and refine designs. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB AT2)Thermal simulation Evaluate heat transfer within or around a product. This helps teams determine whether components may overheat, deform under **thermal loads** or require changes to materials, cooling strategies or operating limits. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB AT3)Multiphysics simulation Examine interacting physical behaviors within the same product or system. **Multiphysics simulation** combines structural, fluid, thermal and motion analyses to reveal how changes in one domain affect wider product performance. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB AT4)Virtual testing Assess interactions across loads, environments and configurations in a **virtual environment**. Teams can compare alternatives, investigate potential failure modes and validate designs that progress to testing. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 RT2)Why Simulation Accuracy and Credibility Matter Simulation credibility determines whether results can move beyond directional insight and support formal engineering decisions. When models are verified and validated and data such as material specifications, assumptions, loads, boundary conditions and acceptance criteria can be controlled. As a result, structural analysis, thermal simulation and multiphysics simulation can quantify performance margins against defined requirements. This turns **virtual testing** into credible evidence for design validation, helping teams compare performance margins and plan physical verification with greater confidence. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 HL)How 3DEXPERIENCE® PLM Express Supports Engineering Simulation Add advanced simulation tools to your workflows to streamline validation, eliminate bottlenecks and make better-informed engineering decisions. [plm-express-engineering-simulation-highlight-banner-1520x696.jpg](/media/26134) [ Pick a bundle for your specific needs ](/products/plm-express/simulation) ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB2)Key Benefits of Simulation ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB2 AT1)Validate designs before prototypes are built A unified modeling and simulation environment supports concurrent engineering, allowing design and analysis to progress in parallel. Teams can resolve issues earlier and validate performance sooner. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB2 AT2)Lower development cost and cycle time Virtual testing lets teams compare alternatives before committing to physical builds. Reduced reliance on external services helps shorten development cycles and control costs. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB2 AT3)Accelerate design iterations A unified and advanced simulation approach keeps design and analysis aligned as geometry, materials or operating conditions change, helping teams move through design-simulate-refine loops faster. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB2 AT4)Reduce product and certification risk Early simulation gives clearer insight into real-world product behavior. Teams can identify failures sooner, expedite validation and enter certification with more robust designs. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB3) Engineering Simulation Across Industries ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB3 AT2)Transport & Mobility: Optimizing Anti-Vibration Components Sujan Contitech unifies design and nonlinear simulation to predict stiffness and stress in bespoke rubber and metal components — reducing design cycles by around 20% and advancing the integration of sustainable materials. [Explore Accelerated Machine Development](/insights/customer-stories/sujan-contitech-anti-vibration-components) ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 PoB3 AT1)Industrial Equipment: Scaling Customized Heavy Equipment Hyundai Everdigm connects design and structural analysis through MODSIM to test fire-truck components under different loads — helping teams iterate faster and reduce overall development time by up more than 30%. [Explore Improved Engineering](/insights/customer-stories/hyundai-everdigm-heavy-mobile-equipment) ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 FAQ)What You Need to Know: Engineering Simulation ## What are the main engineering simulation domains and applications? Engineering simulation spans physical domains and validation approaches, including **structural mechanics**, **thermal behavior**, **multiphysics simulation** and **virtual testing**. Structural and thermal simulation assess specific physical behaviors while multiphysics simulation evaluates interactions between different physics domains. **Virtual testing** applies these simulation capabilities across operating conditions, loads and design configurations to compare alternatives, identify potential failures and support design validation before physical testing. ## What is the difference between CAD and simulation? CAD defines the product’s geometry, assemblies and engineering intent, while simulation software applies material behavior, loads and operating conditions to predict how the design will perform. In a traditional **CAD environment**, transferring geometry into separate analysis tools can create additional preparation and rework as designs change. Dassault Systèmes’ modeling and simulation (**MODSIM**) approach reduces this CAD-CAE separation by unifying modeling and simulation on a common data model. Design changes remain associated with simulation data, reducing the need for repeated exports, conversions and model rebuilding. ## Why is simulation used in product design? Simulation allows engineers to test design assumptions and compare alternatives while geometry and requirements are still flexible. Instead of waiting until a detailed model or physical prototype is complete, teams can use simulation to assess whether concepts meet performance targets. Dassault Systèmes' CATIA and SIMULIA solutions enable engineers to examine multiple 3D alternatives, refine designs against requirements and reduce late-stage performance issues. ## How is simulation used with mechanical engineering software? Simulation extends mechanical engineering software beyond geometry creation by allowing engineers to evaluate how a design performs under realistic material properties, loads and boundary conditions. As machine parts and assemblies are developed, teams can assess structural, thermal and fluid behavior, compare design variants and refine the product before physical testing. ## How is AI changing engineering simulation? Artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate simulation-intensive tasks such as design exploration, optimization and performance prediction. SIMULIA uses machine-learning surrogate models trained on trusted simulation data to evaluate design variations more quickly than running a full physics-based simulation for every configuration. AI-enabled, reusable MODSIM workflows can capture simulation expertise, helping designers access established methods and make performance-driven decisions earlier in development. ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 AT CTA)Looking to connect product design, virtual testing and validation data in one engineering environment? [Discover 3DEXPERIENCE PLM Express Design & Simulation Engineering](/products/plm-express/simulation) ## ## (3DEXPERIENCE EXPRESS SEO LP2 WoC)Also Discover ![Simulation capabilities with software > Dassault Systèmes®](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2026-09/plm-express-engineering-simulation-hero-banner-1920x856.jpg) Simulation solutions for you