Adaptive hexahedral mesh generation and quality optimization for solid models with thin features using a grid-based method. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Lu; Zhao, Guoqun
• Is Part Of: Engineering with computers. Volume 32:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Grid-based method -- Hexahedral mesh -- Adaptive -- Thin feature -- Boundary match -- Quality improvement; Engineering design -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Computer-aided design -- Periodicals; Conception technique -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Conception assistée par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00366-015-0399-9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0177-0667

Abstract

Abstract This paper presented an automatic inside-out grid-based hexahedral element mesh generation algorithm for various types of solid models. For the thin features with small thickness of the geometric model, corresponding treatment methods were given for successfully implementing each meshing step, containing the techniques for adaptive refinement, boundary match, topological optimization and local refinement. In order to realize the reasonable identification of refinement regions and resolve the expansion problem of refinement information fields, a thin-feature criterion and a supplementary criterion were proposed aiming at thin features of the geometry. To implement accurate boundary match for thin features, ten basic types and five complementary types of facet configurations were established, and a priority-node identification method was proposed additionally. Three topological optimization modes were newly proposed to improve the topological connections of the boundary mesh in thin features. Local refinement techniques were also built to refine the thin features of solid models. Finally, several examples were provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed algorithms.