FORUM Multiphysics User Manual

This manual provides operating instructions for FORUM Multiphysics (Flexible Online Runtime for Unified Multiphysics), a browser-based environment for building, solving, and examining partial differential equation models. It documents software version 1.3.2 / Web R43.1, including Cartesian 2-D, Axisymmetric 2.5-D, and Cartesian 3-D model spaces. Supported numerical approaches include structured finite differences, linear triangular finite elements, and first-order tetrahedral finite elements for steady and transient scalar or coupled PDE problems. The guide follows the application’s five-stage workflow: Geometry, Governing Equations, Parameters, Initial & Boundary Conditions, and Solver Settings. It explains geometric objects and subdomains, mesh generation and refinement, scalar/vector/tensor expressions, boundary and internal conditions, solving, and saving models and results. Result inspection includes scalar and vector visualization, deformation displays, three-dimensional mesh and result views, planar slices, point histories, line profiles, and inspection of the assembled numerical system. The manual also covers the built-in model library, supported import and export workflows, troubleshooting, and verification practices. Worked examples address flow around a circular cylinder, Joule heating, poroelastic consolidation, and conduction through nested material domains. FORUM is intended for teaching, demonstrations, method exploration, and small benchmark problems. Users applying results to engineering questions should check the formulation, assess mesh and time-step sensitivity, and perform independent verification appropriate to the application. This deposit contains the English PDF user manual. Release history and compatibility information are collected at the end of the document. Application binaries, source code, and model-library files are not included in this documentation deposit.