Finite Element Computing
PyFEM
A modular and transparent finite element framework designed for education, research, and rapid model development. PyFEM’s clean, readable Python codebase makes it easy to understand the underlying mechanics, experiment with your own formulations, and build new models from scratch — ideal for both classroom use and advanced prototyping.
Despite its simplicity, PyFEM is a fully capable simulation environment: it includes a suite of linear and nonlinear solvers, a broad collection of finite element formulations (1D–3D, small and large deformation), extensible material models, and flexible I/O utilities with VTK and HDF5 output.
Whether you use it to teach the fundamentals, validate new ideas, or explore novel discretization strategies, PyFEM provides a powerful, lightweight, and highly accessible platform for finite element simulation in Python.
All the essentials
Solvers, elements
and material models
PyFEM provides everything you need for linear and nonlinear finite element analysis. From small-strain to large-strain kinematics, from beam and shell formulations to advanced elasto-plastic and fracture models — it’s all built in. Multiphysics simulations are supported as well.
Unlike commercial black-box codes, Dawn is fully transparent: all source code is accessible, readable, and modifiable. You get high-performance capability with complete control over what happens under the hood.
Track convergence in real time: residuals, step sizes, and solver statistics.
Novel and advanced discretisation techniques
From partition of unity methods
to isogeometric analysis
Dawn supports a wide range of modern discretisation methods from partition of unity methods such as XFEM to isogeometric analysis. All these techniques are implemented within a unified framework, supported by dedicated solvers to ensure robustness and efficiency throughout the solution process.
A reproducible pipeline: geometry → mesh → solve → analyze → publish.
Multi-physics coupling
Thermal, mechanical,
and beyond - in one model.
Thermal–mechanical analyses and full additive-manufacturing process simulations — including FFF deposition and powder-bed fusion — are all expressed using the same clean and consistent abstractions, with elements added efficiently during the simulation whenever the process requires it.
- Multi-physics analysis of Laser Powderbed Fusion, VAT photopolymetrisation and FFF processes
- Ray-tracer model for light interaction
- Thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis of composite materials
Temperature, distortion, and stress all solved in a unified framework.
High Performance Computing & Scaling
From laptop runs
to multiple cores.
Start on your workstation, scale to a cluster. MPI support and domain decomposition are built into the core, so you can take the same models from prototype to production.
- MPI-enabled assembly and I/O.
- Compatible with existing cluster toolchains and modules.
Scaling studies directly exported from Dawn’s built-in performance monitors.
Novel and advanced discretisation techniques
From partition of unity methods
to isogeomtric analysis
Dawn supports a wide range of modern discretisation methods from partition of unity methods such as XFEM to isogeometric analysis. All these techniques are implemented within a unified framework, supported by dedicated solvers to ensure robustness and efficiency throughout the solution process.
A reproducible pipeline: geometry → mesh → solve → analyze → publish.
Ready to see PyFEM in action?
Clone the git repository and explore example cases, documentation, and benchmarks. Learn more about projects and courses.