At the IBSim group, we are firm believers in open-access data and open-source code. Our main goal is that the output of our research will lead to wider use of the IBSim technique, particularly for industrial applications.
Therefore, access to the resources we develop is offered freely. This is with the aim that they will be used as part of your IBSim application or to verify development of other IBSim workflows with our international standards benchmark datasets.
In general, these resources are offered under the Creative Commons ‘Attribution’ licence (CC BY). That is, the user may distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the licensed work, including for commercial purposes, as long as the original author is credited. We would also ask that you kindly inform us (resources@ibsim.co.uk) if the use of our resources has led to further output (e.g. industrial application, new software, journal publications). This enables us to evidence the value of our research when we apply for funding which will lead to further resource development for your benefit.
There may be some delay in public access to some resources due to embargo periods enforced by thirds parties (e.g. journal publishers). If you would like early access to our resources through collaborating with us, please get in touch directly.
Data
The majority of our open access data falls into two categories:
1. International standards benchmark datasets
2. Applied case studies
1. International standards benchmark datasets
We have performed international standards tests (e.g. ISO or ASTM) in both the real and virtual laboratory and are providing the output as benchmarks. So that users can test any part of the IBSim workflow this will include:
- sample manufacturing specifications
- testing parameters
- CAD geometries
- X-ray CT radiographs, raw and segmented reconstructed volumes
- IBSim geometries
- Physical experiment and simulation (CAD and image-based) results
2. Applied case studies
Where we have used IBSim as part of a research project or case study we make this data available. This is typically of an applied nature and less comprehensive than the benchmark datasets, but usually includes:
- X-ray CT radiographs, raw and segmented reconstructed volumes
- IBSim geometries
- IBSim results
Journal Papers
We aim for this to be a comprehensive list of publications in the field of IBSim with a particular focus on relevance to the industrial sector. This may include technique development or applications of IBSim. If you know of any other appropriate publications to add to this list, please contact us.
Additionally, we have collated a list of the papers published by members of our group (past and present). These predominantly focus on aspects of the IBSim technique, but will also include papers from our other interests synergistic with IBSim.
Media
Team members of the IBSim group regularly present at workshops and conferences. When appropriate, these presentation materials as well as images and videos of interest are made available for download.
Demo
To those unfamiliar with the IBSim workflow, it can be daunting to get started as there is no single piece of software which ties together all of the steps. In fact, depending on the choice of imaging modality and simulation technique there is an extremely large number of potential combinations across the workflow. However, in general, these can be generalised into the following stages:
- Generation of volumetric image from acquired data.
- Conversion of image into simulation geometry.
- Performing the simulation then analysing and visualising results.
Data generated by the IBSim technique is often relatively large (10s of gigabytes to terabytes). This, therefore, requires PCs with powerful graphics cards (GPUs) and an adequate amount of memory (RAM) to interact with data smoothly. Additionally, much of the software used for IBSim has not yet reached a mature stage and can therefore be challenging to install.
All of this poses a barrier for those interested in IBSim to ‘test the waters’. To help with this, we have developed a demo which allows users to interactively view IBSim data from the three stages mentioned above. Using the demo doesn’t require any installation or powerful hardware (indeed it can be tested from a mobile phone) because it is done within your browser and uses the power of our server.
The demo system uses a server hosted by the team at Swansea University. It may not always be available during periods of high demand or if the server is being utilised by the team to carry out research. If you find that the demo system is unavailable, please contact us to arrange a time where we will reserve it for your use.
Over time we hope to develop the demo further to include additional functionality and a broader range of elements from the IBSim workflow. We hope this is of use to you and we would be interested to hear of your experiences with it.
Software
Following the IBSim workflow from start to finish crosses several well-established disciplines. This process starts with an imaging technique (e.g. X-ray radiography), then through image-processing stages and conversion to simulation geometries before performing engineering simulation, then analysis and visualisation of results.
Because it is such a multidisciplinary workflow, IBSim requires the use of several pieces of software to carry out the methodology. The particular software to use will depend on many factors such as the type of imaging used or simulation to be performed.
We have collated information on various software which the IBSim community uses to in their workflows which we hope will be useful to you. Please contact us if you use any other software packages not included in this list as part of your IBSim workflow and we will add the relevant information.
Browse details of 3rd party IBSim software…
For the industrially focussed IBSim workflow we’re developing, we use 3rd party software where possible to avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’. We aim to be software agnostic such that others may follow the developed workflow and switch out a particular stage with their preferred software e.g. if a specific industrial sector is compelled to use accredited software.
Our focus is to develop the additional capabilities required such that the IBSim technique may be used for industrial application. IBSim can currently be a manually intensive process, it is therefore time-consuming, and results are liable to subjectivity. To be useful for industrial application, there needs to be a significant reduction in the time demands and standardisation of output. Our approach is to meet both these requirements through automation. This is being achieved with a new code for the intermediary steps that link the various stages together (i.e. wrapper codes) and by collaborating with developers of existing code to introduce new capabilities.
The development of VirtualLab is one of the main activities of our IBSim group. The aim is this will be a useful platform to the IBSim community which users can customise or work with us to apply to their specific applications.