A Dynamic Data Structure Suitable for Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Finite Element Method

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, Elsevier, Vol 4, pp.237-247, 1988

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104. USA.

Abstract
This paper describes a dynamic data structure and its implementation, used for an optimum mesh generator. The implementation of this mesh generator was a part of a software package implemented to solve electromagnetic field problems using the finite element method. This mesh generator takes advantage of the Delaunay algorithm, which maximizes the summation of the smallest angles in all triangles and thus creates a mesh that is proved to be an optimum mesh for use in the finite element method. The dynamic data structure is explained and the source code is reviewed. The programs have been written in Pascal programming language.