A Powerful Tool for Bond Graph Modeling

 

In the world of dynamic system modeling, Bond Graphs offer a universal and powerful way to represent energy flow in complex physical systems — from electrical circuits to mechanical assemblies. 

But turning those graphical models into meaningful simulations requires specialized software.

 That’s where Symbol Shakti steps in as a smart, efficient, and focused solution.

What is Symbol Shakti?

Symbol Shakti is a symbolic computation-based software designed specifically for modeling and analyzing systems using Bond Graph methodology.

 It enables users to construct models based on the flow of energy between components, using a unified approach across multiple engineering domains — mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and thermal systems.

Unlike traditional simulation tools that rely on numerical approximations, Symbol Shakti emphasizes symbolic modeling, making it highly effective for academic research, teaching, and design validation.

Key Features:

Graphical User Interface (GUI): Easily draw bond graphs using a drag-and-drop style editor.

Multi-domain Modeling: Supports hybrid systems involving mechanical, electrical, thermal, and hydraulic interactions.

Symbolic Analysis: Generates equations symbolically, allowing greater insight into system behavior and algebraic simplification.

Code Export: Convert models into C/C++ or MATLAB-compatible code for integration into larger simulation environments.

Educational Friendly: Lightweight and easy to learn — ideal for students and researchers learning bond graph theory.

Why Use Symbol Shakti for Bond Graphs?

Most simulation platforms like Simulink or ANSYS treat systems as numerical black boxes. 

Symbol Shakti, however, lays bare the structure of energy interaction, making it a more transparent tool for theoretical work.

 Whether you're designing a robotic arm, analyzing a hybrid vehicle powertrain, or modeling a biomechanical system, Symbol Shakti lets you understand the core mechanics of your model before pressing “run”.

Applications:

Engineering Education: Used in control systems, mechanical dynamics, and system modeling courses.

Research Projects: Popular in academic publications on system dynamics and control theory.

Design Prototyping: Engineers can validate early-stage designs without jumping into full-scale numerical simulations.

Getting Started:

Symbol Shakti is usually distributed via academic networks, and some versions may be available for download via institutional platforms or Google Drive links. Once installed, users can begin modeling right away using built-in components like:

1-junctions and 0-junctions

R (resistor), C (capacitor), I (inertial) elements

Sources (Se, Sf) and detectors

Final Thoughts:

If you're looking to delve into the world of bond graphs — whether for learning or for high-level analysis — Symbol Shakti offers a compact yet powerful platform. Its symbolic capabilities give it a unique edge, making it more than just another simulation tool. It's an insight machine.

Note : 

This is a free version of Symbols with full functionality and is for individual academic use only. Nonacademic and commercial use is strictly prohibited without payment of due license fee including the cost of training. This is a 32bit version for Windows XP/VISTA/7/8/10 and has been tested for stability. This free version has been released with the aim of fostering more research using bond graph technique and also to motivate young students to use bond graph in their work.

How to Configure and Run Symbols 6.0?


Unzip all files to a folder, say C:\ or D:\

Go to folder

C:\Symbols. Locate file SYMBOLS.exe and right click the mouse to create a shortcut for it.

Copy the shortcut to desktop


Important: You need to install free Borland Command Line compiler from Ebarcadero

 Install the compiler to a path, say C:\Borland\BCC55\ by default. It may show an installation failure at the end. Neglect it. We will link Symbols to this compiler path at a later stage.

 

Run Symbols from shortcut

On the notification window, you will see an icon for Symbols 6.0 as shown here.

Clicking on the icon shows a menu. Select BondPad from the menu. Initial configuration of BondPad may take some time.

 

In the bond pad window, create a new file. From the tools tab, select 1 junction as shown (the cursor turns into 1 inside the drawing pane).

 

Click at center of the drawing pane (with grids)

 

Likewise, select I, C, R and Se elements one by one and place them in the drawing pane as shown below.

 

Note: Keep at least two grid points gap between the elements. The elements appear within circles (circles are there to help you in drawing bonds. They can be removed later).

To connect the elements, you need to select line from the Tools tab.

After that, first click inside the circle of one element and keeping the left mouse button pressed, move inside the circle of another element to which you want to draw the line and release the mouse button there.

This way, connect all the elements to complete the bond graph model. After all connections are done, you may want to remove the circles. Go to view menu and use hide circles. Likewise, switch off the grids from the same menu. Your GUI should look like the one given below.

For more detai : Click (Installation Setup Guidlines)

Click here to download Symbol Sakti Software

 

Download File

Click her to download Compiler