Generation of quadrilateral mesh over analytical curved surfaces

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, Elsevier, Num 27, pp.251-272, 1997

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Abstract
An automatic adaptive quadrilateral mesh conversion scheme for the generation of adaptive refinement meshes over analytical curved surfaces is proposed. The starting point of the quadrilateral mesh generator is a background triangular mesh of the curved surface. By a carefully controlled process to merge two triangles at a time the triangular mesh can be completely converted to quadrilaterals. A rapidly graded quadrilateral mesh with node spacing compatible with the desired element size distribution can be obtained from a well-graded triangular mesh. The quality of the quadrilateral mesh can be subsequently enhanced by a series of mesh modifications and element shape improvement procedures. The present scheme can be used in conjunction with an adaptive surface triangular mesh generator to generate quadrilateral meshes suitable for adaptive shell refinement analysis.