On Automating the Generation of Hex Meshes for Assembly Geometries

2nd Symposium on Trends in Unstructured Mesh Generation, University ofColorado, Boulder, August 1999

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

Keynote Speaker
Principle Member Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories
Visiting Scientist, University of Wisconsin-Madison
tjtautg@sandia.gov

Abstract

The finite element method is being used today to model component assemblies in a wide variety of application areas, including mechanical components, fluid simulations, and others. Generating hexahedral meshes for these assemblies usually requires the use of geometry decomposition, with different meshing algorithms applied to different regions. While the primary motivation for this approach remains the lack of an automatic, reliable all-hexahedral meshing algorithm, requirements in mesh quality and mesh configuration for typical analyses are also factors. For these reasons, this approach is also sometimes required when producing other types of unstructured meshes. This paper will review progress to date in automating many parts of the hex meshing process, which has halved the time to produce all-hex meshes for large assemblies. Particular issues which have been exposed due to this progress will also be discussed, along with their applicability to the general unstructured meshing problem. Finally, issues in the automation and parameterization of these meshes will be discussed.