Automatic mesh generation

The objective of this thesis project is a study of Pre-Processors and development of an Automatic Mesh Generator for Finite Element Analysis. The Mesh Generator developed in this thesis project can create triangular finite elements from the geometric database of Macintosh Applications. The user is required to give the density parameter to the program for mesh generation. The research is limited to Mesh Generators of planar surfaces. Delauny Triangulation method maximizes the minimum angles of a triangle. Watson\u27s Delauny Triangulation method can mesh only the \u27convex hull\u27 of a set of nodes. This algorithm has been modified to create triangular elements in convex and non-convex surfaces. The surfaces can have holes also. A node generation algorithm to place nodes on and inside a geometry has been developed in this thesis project. The mesh generation is very efficient and flexible. Geometric modeling methods have been studied to understand and integrate the Geometric Modeler with the Finite Element Mesh Generator. Expert Systems can be integrated with Finite Element Analysis. This will make Finite Element Method fully automatic. In this thesis project, Expert Systems in Finite Element Analysis are reviewed. Proposals are made for future approach for the integration of the two fields

Parameter studies of gear cooling using an automatic finites element mesh generator

The range of accuracies achieved in the gear tooth temperature using an automatic finite element mesh generator were investigated. Gear web contribution to the gear cooling process was studied by introducing a varying size hole at the center of the gear because of the versatility of program TARG in allowing different heat transfer coefficients in different areas of the gear tooth. A study was carried out to evaluate the contribution of the loaded and unloaded faces as well as the top and bottom lands. A general purpose two-dimensional finite element preprocessor ATOGEN has been developed for automatic generation of a finite element mesh over a pie-shaped sector of a gear. The program was used for facilitating the input to an upgraded version of a previously developed program for the thermal analysis of running gears (TARG). The latter program determined the steady state temperature distribution throughout the specified gear. The automatic mesh generator program includes a band width minimization routine for reducing computer cost

CSG based automatic mesh generation using multiple element types

The objective of this thesis project is to explore a unique approach toward automatic mesh generation for finite element analysis. Current mesh generation algorithms are only applicable to a single type of domain. Countless mesh generators exist for meshing 2D regions with triangles and quadrilaterals, and mesh generators also exist which can mesh 3D regions with tetrahedra and other element types. However, not all structures are strictly 2D or 3D , and not all structures are best modeled with a single type of element. An experienced finite element analyst typically uses many types of elements when modeling a real problem. This thesis addresses this approach to meshing in an automatic manner. However, at various stages, the user has the ability to change the course of the modeler. In this thesis project, a program for automatic mesh generation has been developed on a constructive solid geometry (CSG) foundation. This program was written in object-oriented Pascal, and consists of well over 25,000 lines of code. The CSG system used was developed with PADL-2 as the guide, and allows complex geometries to be modeled as combinations of blocks and cylinders. This solid model is then broken into ID, 2D and 3D regions, or segments , using CSG-Tree segmentation logic. Each segment can then be meshed using an appropriate mesh generation technique. Thus, a single model can be meshed with multiple element types, just as an experienced analyst would do it

Automatic mesh generation in finite element analysis using dynamic bubble system

In this article an improved automatic mesh generation method for finite element analysis (FEA) using a dynamic bubble system is presented. The proposed method features two separate routines; one for automatic generation of a set of nodes in accordance with the desired mesh density and the Second Newton's Law of dynamics, and one for automatic generation of finite elements according to the Delaunay algorithm and using a set of nodes generated from the previous routine

Computational performance of Free Mesh Method applied to continuum mechanics problems

The free mesh method (FMM) is a kind of the meshless methods intended for particle-like finite element analysis of problems that are difficult to handle using global mesh generation, or a node-based finite element method that employs a local mesh generation technique and a node-by-node algorithm. The aim of the present paper is to review some unique numerical solutions of fluid and solid mechanics by employing FMM as well as the Enriched Free Mesh Method (EFMM), which is a new version of FMM, including compressible flow and sounding mechanism in air-reed instruments as applications to fluid mechanics, and automatic remeshing for slow crack growth, dynamic behavior of solid as well as large-scale Eigen-frequency of engine block as applications to solid mechanics

Computational performance of Free Mesh Method applied to continuum mechanics problems

The free mesh method (FMM) is a kind of the meshless methods intended for particle-like finite element analysis of problems that are difficult to handle using global mesh generation, or a node-based finite element method that employs a local mesh generation technique and a node-by-node algorithm. The aim of the present paper is to review some unique numerical solutions of fluid and solid mechanics by employing FMM as well as the Enriched Free Mesh Method (EFMM), which is a new version of FMM, including compressible flow and sounding mechanism in air-reed instruments as applications to fluid mechanics, and automatic remeshing for slow crack growth, dynamic behavior of solid as well as large-scale Eigen-frequency of engine block as applications to solid mechanics

An Explicit Finite Element Integration Scheme for Linear Eight Node Convex Quadrilaterals Using Automatic Mesh Generation Technique over Plane Regions

This paper presents an explicit integration scheme to compute the stiffness matrix of an eight node linear convex quadrilateral element for plane problems using symbolic mathematics and an automatic generation of all quadrilateral mesh technique , In finite element analysis, the boundary problems governed by second order linear partial differential equations,the element stiffness matrices are expressed as integrals of the product of global derivatives over the linear convex quadrilateral region. These matrices can be shown to depend on the material properties and the matrix of integrals with integrands as rational functions with polynomial numerator and the linear denominator (4+ ) in bivariates over an eight node 2-square (-1 ).In this paper,we have computed these integrals in exact and digital forms using the symbolic mathematics capabilities of MATLAB. The proposed explicit finite element integration scheme is illustrated by computing the Prandtl stress function values and the torisonal constant for the square cross section by using the eight node linear convex quadrilateral finite elements.An automatic all quadrilateral mesh generation techniques for the eight node linear convex quadrilaterals is also developed for this purpose.We have presented a complete program which automatically discritises the arbitrary triangular domain into all eight node linear convex quadrilaterals and applies the so generated nodal coordinate and element connection data to the above mentioned torsion problem. Key words: Explicit Integration, Gauss Legendre Quadrature, Quadrilateral Element, Prandtl’s Stress Function for torsion, Symbolic mathematics,all quadrilateral mesh generation technique

Shape optimization of three-dimensional stamped and solid automotive components

The shape optimization of realistic, 3-D automotive components is discussed. The integration of the major parts of the total process: modeling, mesh generation, finite element and sensitivity analysis, and optimization are stressed. Stamped components and solid components are treated separately. For stamped parts a highly automated capability was developed. The problem description is based upon a parameterized boundary design element concept for the definition of the geometry. Automatic triangulation and adaptive mesh refinement are used to provide an automated analysis capability which requires only boundary data and takes into account sensitivity of the solution accuracy to boundary shape. For solid components a general extension of the 2-D boundary design element concept has not been achieved. In this case, the parameterized surface shape is provided using a generic modeling concept based upon isoparametric mapping patches which also serves as the mesh generator. Emphasis is placed upon the coupling of optimization with a commercially available finite element program. To do this it is necessary to modularize the program architecture and obtain shape design sensitivities using the material derivative approach so that only boundary solution data is needed

Parametrization-based shape optimization of shell structures in the case of free vibrations

A finite-element-based shape optimization methodology has been developed for three-dimensional shell structures and shape optimization of shell structures has been performed. The shape optimization program is implemented by a job control language and commercial finite element analysis software ANSYS is used for structural analysis. Principles of structural analysis and automatic mesh generation are applied for achieving shape optimization. The objective is to minimize the weight of the shell structure under frequency constrains and the move limit for each design variable. In this paper several optimization examples are provide