A Dual Geometry-Topology Constraint Approach for Determination of Pseudo-Swept Shapes as Applied to Hexahedral Mesh Generation

Computer-Aided Design, Elsevier Science, Num 31, pp.413-426, 1999

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

R. Gadh
Department of Mechinical Engineering, University of Wisconsin
Email: gadh@engr.wisc.edu

Abstract
The current paper presents a pseudo-sweep algorithm to determine whether a given volume constitutes an approximately swept shape for the purpose of hexahedral finite element mesh generation. The pseudo-swept shape determination approach consists of three steps. Step 1: Determining the source surface, target surface, and lateral surface of a given solid object B. Two requirements: topological and geometric requirements, are used to determine these three surfaces. Step 2: Creating a submappable lateral surface. A submappable surface is one that allows the sweeping of a two dimensional quadrilateral mesh from the source surface to target surface. Step 3: Modifying the topology of the source surface. If the topologies of the source and target surfaces are different, an approach called Topology Mapping is applied. The Topology Mapping approach maps the target surface to the source surface so that sweeping of quadrilateral mesh from the source surface to the target surface is possible. Once the above three steps are applied, a hexahedral mesh is generated by sweeping a quadrilateral mesh from the source surface, along the lateral surface, to the target surface.