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CS838 Topics in Computing : Introduction to Physics-Based Modeling and Simulation

Spring Semester 2014

Course outline

This course is a review of current trends and technologies for physics based modeling and simulation, with applications to visual effects, interactive virtual environments and computer games. Topics to be covered in class include:

1D elasticity : Modeling hair, oriented strands, and collision detection/resolution.
2D elasticity : Cloth simulation, modeling of in-plane and bending stiffness, collision handling.
3D elasticity : Finite element and mass-spring models, simulated character flesh, skin and muscles. Modeling of material fracture and tearing.
Discrete 3D geometry representations : Meshes, implicit surfaces and point clouds. Geometry editing and conversion between representations.
Time integration methods : Explicit and implicit Euler integrators, semi-implicit methods, quasi-static animation.
Introductory fluid dynamics : Computer-generated smoke, water and fire.
Rigid body simulation and dynamics of articulated systems.

In discussing these topics, particular emphasis will be placed on the efficiency, robustness and stability of numerical algorithms used in simulation tasks, and on the software engineering practices that facilitate scalability and parallelization.

General information

Lecture meeting time : Tue/Thu 9:30am - 10:45am
Lecture location : Computer Sciences 1257

Instructor : Eftychios Sifakis
Office : Computer Sciences building, Room 6355
Email : sifakis <at> cs <dot> wisc <dot> edu
Office hours : Tue/Thu 11:00am - 12:00pm or by appointment

Prerequisites : No formal requirements. Nevertheless, a number of numerical techniques will be employed in the context of various topics; the theoretical details of these methods will be summarily covered in class. A certain degree of familiarity with calculus will be desired, although not essential.

Schedule of lectures

DATE	Lecture Information	Assignments & Reading Materials
Tuesday, January 21st	Introduction to Physics Based Modeling Discussion of course structure and logistics	Start reading Robert Bridson's SIGGRAPH 2007 fluid dynamics Short Course notes [URL]
Thursday, January 23rd	Simulation and Modeling of Fluids: Origin and derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations
Thursday, January 30th	Simulation and Modeling of Fluids: Staggered grids and discretization
Tuesday, Feburary 4th	Simulation and Modeling of Fluids: Equation splitting; Semilagrangian Advection
Tuesday, Feburary 6th	Simulation and Modeling of Fluids: Incompressibility and Projection
Tuesday, Feburary 11th	Simulation and Modeling of Fluids: Solving the pressure Poisson equation
Tuesday, Feburary 13th	Simulation and Modeling of 3D Elastic Solids: The deformation map, gradient and strain measures	Start reading the Sifakis/Barbic SIGGRAPH 2012 Finite Element Short Course notes [URL]
Tuesday, Feburary 18th	Simulation and Modeling of 3D Elastic Solids: Stress, strain, force and traction
Tuesday, Feburary 20th	Simulation and Modeling of 3D Elastic Solids: Nonlinear constitutive models and their properties
Tuesday, Feburary 25th	Simulation and Modeling of 3D Elastic Solids: Discretization on tetrahedral meshes
Tuesday, Feburary 27th	Introduction to PhysBAM: Modeling and animating kinematic objects
Tuesday, March 4th
Tuesday, March 6th
Tuesday, March 11th
Tuesday, March 13th

Paper presentation assignments

TBD

Programming assignement

Individual homework assignment (due April 13th) [URL]

Grading policy

The final grade will be computed based on the following:

15% Attendance & Presentation : Every student will be required to prepare a 12-minute in-class presentation of a research paper.
25% : Individual programming assignment.
60% Final project : Projects will be assigned to groups of 2-3 students, and will be deliverable at the end of the semester.