Identifying and Meshing Thin Sections of 3-d Curved Domains

Proceedings, 14th International Meshing Roundtable, Springer-Verlag, pp.33-54, September 11-14 2005

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

14th International Meshing Roundtable
San Diego, CA, USA
September 11-14, 2005

Scientific Computation Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.
lyin@scorec.rpi.edu; xluo@scorec.rpi.edu; shephard@scorec.rpi.edu

Abstract
Realization of the full benefits of variable p-version finite elements requires the careful construction of prismatic elements in thin sections. This paper presents a procedure to automatically isolate the thin sections using the points on an approximate medial surface computed by an octree-based algorithm. Using the pairs of triangles associated with medial surface (MS) points, in conjunction with adjacency, classification and distance information, sets of surface triangles that are on opposite face patches in thin sections are identified. Mesh modifications are then executed to match the surface triangulations on the opposite face patches such that prismatic elements can be generated without diagonal edges through the thickness directions.

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