Welcome to preCICE

The coupling library for partitioned multi-physics simulations.

preCICE is an open-source coupling library and ecosystem for general partitioned multi-physics and multi-scale simulations, including surface and volume coupling.

Partitioned means that preCICE couples existing programs/solvers capable of simulating a subpart of the complete physics involved in a simulation. This allows for the high flexibility that is needed to keep a decent time-to-solution for complex coupled problems.

The software offers convenient methods for transient equation coupling, communication, time interpolation, and data mapping.

visualisation of how preCICE couples different solvers

Prepared for the next generation of multi-physics simulations

non-invasive integration

Minimally invasive integration

  • Elegant library approach
  • High-level API in C++, C, Fortran, Python, Matlab
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Coupling of programs

Coupling of arbitrary many programs

  • Arbitrary combinations of strong and weak interactions
  • Arbitrary many solvers
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numerical methods

State-of-the-art numerical methods

  • Robust quasi-Newton acceleration
  • Radial-basis function data mapping
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scalability

Scalability up to complete supercomputers

  • Pure peer-to-peer approach
  • Support of heterogeneous hardware (CPU/GPU)
  • Efficient also on a laptop
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How does it look like?

In this tutorial, we couple the CFD code OpenFOAM with a C++ rigid body solver for fluid-structure interaction, using a serial-explicit coupling, as defined in the preCICE configuration file. OpenFOAM loads a ready-to-use adapter, while the C++ code uses the preCICE API. OpenFOAM starts and waits for the other code. After they both start, they find each other and perform a black-box coupled simulation.

simulation_tutorial.sh

Ready-to-use with your favourite open-source solver

Several free and proprietary codes are currently coupled with preCICE. Pick one of our official adapters below or check out our community projects.

Academic at heart, 100% free software

preCICE has been developed by three generations of doctoral candidates from the Chair of Scientific Computing at the Technical University of Munich and from the Institute for Parallel and Distributed Systems at the University of Stuttgart.

We develop everything openly on GitHub, the preCICE library is licensed under LGPLv3, and every other component is developed under compatible free software licenses. More information.

You can cite the preCICE library using the following paper. Please also consider citing the adapters you use, as well as the preCICE Distribution for reproducibility. You can find the respective references in our literature guide.

Tried and tested by a global community

Through the community-driven development approach, preCICE has become one of the leading coupling libraries for multi-physics simulations both in academia and industry. The variety of fields ranges from aerodynamics to nuclear fusion and biomechanics.

Join the community!

We develop everything in the open, with continuous feedback by a vivid community. Be part of it:

  • Ask for help and help others in the preCICE forum and register to receive news.
  • Directly edit the documentation. We review and help - nothing can go wrong.
  • Report issues on GitHub and help us solve them for everyone.
  • Contribute code and simulation examples - we help you with guidelines, tools, and reviews.
  • Meet the community in one of the preCICE workshops and conference sessions.
  • Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter including:
    • New publications
    • New features
    • New adapters, bindings, tools, tutorials, and more
    • Upcoming events and news from the community

You support preCICE – preCICE supports you

As the developers of preCICE, we enjoy supporting our academic and industry users, but due to the growing demand, we are not able to service all support requests any more. We are introducing preCICE support as a way to contribute to sustainable open-source software development and to ensure preCICE is developed and maintained in the future. Supporting preCICE comes with several benefits:

  • Increased success rate for your research proposal (include preCICE as a partner, software provider, or sub-contractor)
  • Priority support and direct access to developers
  • Private, on-site support and bespoke training
  • We offer different levels of support for industry and academia.

Support preCICE — see options
precice support program logo

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can preCICE be used for volume coupling?

Yes. In preCICE v3 there have been many changes and improvements regarding large meshes...

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Best practices for new adapters?

There are guidelines for adapters, as well as for application cases...

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One-way coupling?

Yes! Several people are doing this already. Even though there may be other ways...

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