MITx’s edX Course Leverages Akselos for Complex Engineering Simulations on Google Compute Engine

Engineering simulations are a critical part of designing and assessing infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, and aircraft. However, the industry-standard technology, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), is computationally intensive and often unfeasible for large-scale 3D simulations. These simulations require large amounts of RAM, often exceeding the capacity of a desktop workstation, and can take hours or even days of computation time. This is particularly problematic when time is at a premium and engineers need to perform hundreds or thousands of simulations for a piece of critical infrastructure. Additionally, attempts to integrate simulations within university courses have been unsuccessful due to the complexity of the tools.

Akselos is a platform that enables engineers to design and assess critical infrastructure through advanced simulation software. The software is used by students around the world participating in MIT’s massive open online course, Elements of Structure. Akselos is also used by a growing community of engineers globally. The company aims to put powerful simulation technology into the hands of as many people as possible to enhance design and analysis workflows across many engineering disciplines.