A method for connecting dissimilar finite element meshes in two dimensions

International Journal For Numerical Methods In Engineering, John Wiley, Vol 48, Num 5, pp.655-678, June 2000

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

Correspondence to: C. R. Dohrmann, Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Mail Stop 0847, Albuquerque, NM 87185-0847, U.S.A.
E-mail: crdohrm@sandia.gov

Abstract
A method is presented for connecting dissimilar finite element meshes in two dimensions. The method combines standard master-slave concepts with the uniform strain approach for finite elements. By modifying the definition of the slave boundary, corrections are made to element formulations such that first-order patch tests are passed. The method can be used to connect meshes which use different element types. In addition, master and slave boundaries can be designated independently of relative mesh resolutions. Example problems in two-dimensional linear elasticity are presented.