Data Modeling and Handling for Analysis and Visualization in a Collaborative Setting

This paper discusses the development of a data modeling and handling methodology to display results from a large-scale Finite Element Analysis in real-time from any geographic location in the world to aid in complex decision-making. The developed methodology enables real-time collaboration before, during, and after a complex engineering analysis. The collaborative capabilities include a three dimensional, interactive representation of the analysis data available through the Internet on any computing platform without the need of installed software or specialized hardware. A scientist has the ability to change data resolutions on-the-fly as well as view animated representations of the analysis results. In this paper, the developed methodology was applied to a geophysical situation. However, the benefits could be realized in a range of application areas from mechanical design to biomedical imaging. The details of the development are presented in this paper. The full paper will present additional descriptions as well as example problems.