Problem-adapted mesh generation with FEM-features

Abstract

Today automatic meshing of CAD geometry is the most common method of FEM mesh generation. However, to get results of acceptable accuracy with universal meshing algorithms it is necessary to use rather small-sized elements which leads to high memory and CPU time consumption. Furthermore, the irregularity of automatically generatated meshes makes it difficult to create well-defined local areas with different material properties. A solution for this problem is the application of predefined building blocks ("FEM-Features") which contain algorithms for a problem-adapted mesh generation. These building blocks may be realised as "design objects" in an object-oriented modelling system. By employing interface objects, it is easy to combine design objects to form complex geometries. The technique is explained by an example.