An improved hexahedral mesh matching algorithm. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Jinming; Gao, Shuming; Zhu, Hua
• Is Part Of: Engineering with computers. Volume 32:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Mesh matching -- Sheet operation -- Hexahedral mesh -- Finite method analysis; 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/s00366-015-0414-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0177-0667

Abstract

Abstract Mesh matching is an effective way to convert the non-conforming interfaces between two hexahedral meshes into conforming ones, which is very important for achieving high-quality finite element analysis. However, the existing mesh matching algorithm is neither efficient nor effective enough to handle complex interfaces and self-intersecting sheets. In this paper, the algorithm is improved in three aspects: (1) by introducing a more precise criteria for chord matching and the concept of partition chord set, complex interfaces with internal loops can be handled more effectively; (2) by proposing a new solution, self-intersecting sheet can be inflated and extracted locally; and (3) by putting forward a mesh quality evaluation method, the sheet extraction operation during mesh matching can be done more efficiently. Our improved mesh matching algorithm is fully automatic, and its effectiveness is demonstrated by several examples in different matching situations.