Meshing of 2-D Cross Section
Mesh Tool Comparison
Group: Date:
Graden Hardy, Patrick Lewis 22 April 2009
ME 501 Design of Mechanical Structures
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Problem Description Model Description Results
Discussion
Free Mesh Default Free Mesh Smart Size Free Mesh Size Control:Global Free Mesh Q-Morph Mesher Mapped Mesh Regions
Automatic Vs. Mapped Mesh Tool Mesher Opts
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Develop a cross section that would require the use of advanced mesh generation tools Provide a comparison of the different mesh tools that are available
Visually inspect the resulting element shapes and sizes
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Geometry
Solid CAD model created CAD Drawing developed for modeling in ANSYS
Element Type
2-D Plane Stress Element
Plane 82 (Solid
Quad 8node 82)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Meshing Tools:
Free Mesh Mapped Mesh
Free Mesh
Tool Options Explored
Default Smart Size Size Control:Global Q-Morph Mesher
Mapped Mesh
Regions
Department of Mechanical Engineering 5
Tool Description:
No constraints on element patterns No constraints on element shapes Capable of meshing irregular shapes Inability to control the element generation results in badly shaped elements Meshing Error Element Checker
Element Plots:
Angle between two
adjoining sides of an element can be no greater than 165 For highlighted element the angle is 167.3
Department of Mechanical Engineering 6
Tool Description:
Creates initial element sizes for free meshing operations Better chance of creating reasonably shaped elements
Algorithm computes an estimated element edge length for all
lines in the area/volume being meshed Edge lengths are further refined to account for curvature and proximity of surrounding features in the geometry
User must specify a mesh size level
1 (fine mesh)
10 (coarse mesh)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Free Mesh Element Plot w/Smart Size Level 4
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Free Mesh Element Plot w/Smart Size Level 5
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Tool Description:
Mandates the size of the elements to a default size set by the user Requires knowledge and experimentation by the user to come to a suitable final element size
Provided a good mesh w/no triangular elements
Created several
Element Plot:
transition elements
Department of Mechanical Engineering 10
Tool Description:
This mesher generally provides higher quality quadrilateral elements than the alternative and is very effective with boundary sensitive geometries
Meshing options must be carefully adjusted to
eliminate triangular elements Smart Size feature must be enabled
Global element size provision also provides a better mesh
Department of Mechanical Engineering
11
Preprocessor Meshing Mesher Opts Triangle Mesher Alternate Quad Mesher Main Split poor quality quads Off
Department of Mechanical Engineering
12
Video
Department of Mechanical Engineering
13
Element Plot:
Provides a
decent mesh No triangular elements Few oddly shaped transition elements Reasonable Pattern
Department of Mechanical Engineering
14
Tool Description:
Constraints placed on element patterns and shapes Only works with basic geometries
Irregular geometries must be broken down into basic
regular regions
User has the option of choosing between quadrilateral or triangular elements
Department of Mechanical Engineering
15
Video
Department of Mechanical Engineering
16
Regions Plot:
Area was broken into basic 3-5 sided regions
Department of Mechanical Engineering
17
Element Plot:
Provided nicely shaped and patterned elements
Department of Mechanical Engineering
18
Automatic Vs. Mapped Meshing
Automatic meshing functions have good capabilities for meshing difficult geometries, but are limited in their abilities to provide uniform element shapes and patterns. Mapped meshing tools, although tedious in use, are more powerful and controllable meshing tools
Department of Mechanical Engineering
19
Mesh Tool
Most efficient tool available for rapid mesh creation/control Toolbar combines most of the other mesh tool menus to allow the user to quickly navigate between different mesh tool settings and options. This tool bar is activated by selecting:
Preprocessor Meshing
Mesh Tool
Department of Mechanical Engineering
20
Mesher Opts
Powerful tool found within the meshing menu Toolbar allows for more advanced control of the meshing functions This tool bar is activated by selecting:
Preprocessor
Meshing Mesher Opts
Department of Mechanical Engineering 21
Department of Mechanical Engineering
22