A Combined Subdivision and Advancing Loop-Front Surface Mesher (Triangular) for Automotive Structures

Abstract

In this paper, a new, hybrid, 2D meshing algorithm, CSALF-T, is proposed for boundary-structured triangular meshes used for the analyses of automotive structures. The algorithm is based on the understanding of boundary loops. All mesh area boundary loops are initially meshed recursively with a new, loop-based advancing "loop-front" technique that produces high-quality boundary-structured meshes. The remaining interior domain is filled out by a recursive subdivision technique. Both approaches are driven by a background sizing function. The mesh is finally smoothed by a variational smoother. Loop-fronts are classified and rule sets are defined for each, to aid optimum point placement. Stencils used for loop-closure are presented. Results show examples of meshes used for the crash analyses of automotive body panels with large mesh size transition generated on complex 2D domains. Comparisons are made to pronounce the merits of the hybrid algorithm with respect to both traditional advancing front and subdivision based meshing techniques. CITATION: N. Mukherjee. 2010. A combined subdivision and advancing loop-front surface mesher (triangular) for automotive structures, Int. J. Vehicle Structures & Systems, 2(1), 28-37.

An Art Gallery Approach to Submap Meshing

“…Next, the parameter space is tiled with a 2D voxel model or Cartesian grid. All boundary nodes are 'grid-marked' and a standard and previously described spatial search algorithm [14] is used to locate proximate node-pairs between loops. The best node-pair is selected based on the split line factor described in eqn.…”

The Influence of Mesh Density on the Results Obtained by Finite Element Analysis of Complex Bodies

“…For bodies in which one or more areas present a special interest, a much higher local density of the mesh is used, a new concept in this sense being bicameral mesh gradation (or anisotropic mesh size control) [ 13 ]. The use of anisotropic mesh, a patented method [ 14 ], is not limited to the study of solid (complex) bodies [ 15 ], but is applied in various fields, such as the study of fluid dynamics [ 16 ] (aerodynamics [ 17 ], the study of the atmosphere [ 18 ], etc. ), of the viscoelasticity [ 19 ], in the determination of the natural frequencies [ 1 ], and so on.…”