The Visual Computing Environment (VCE) is a NASA Lewis Research
Center project to develop a framework for intercomponent and
multidisciplinary computational simulations. Many current
engineering analysis codes simulate various aspects of aircraft
engine operation. For example, existing computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) codes can model the airflow through individual
engine components such as the inlet, compressor, combustor,
turbine, or nozzle. Currently, these codes are run in isolation,
making intercomponent and complete system simulations very
difficult to perform. In addition, management and utilization of
these engineering codes for coupled component simulations is a
complex, laborious task, requiring substantial experience and
effort. To facilitate multicomponent aircraft engine analysis,
the CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC) is developing the VCE
system. This system, which is part of NASA's Numerical
Propulsion Simulation System (NPSS) program, can couple various
engineering disciplines, such as CFD, st