Title: CBC substitution: an adaptive approach for dynamic simulation

Authors: L. Wang

Addresses: Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 800 Collip Circle, London, Ontario N6G 4X8, Canada

Abstract: This paper introduces an adaptive meshing algorithm to handle problems in dynamic finite element analysis and runtime simulation, where mesh re-generation or dynamic adjustment is required. Based on a concept called CBC (coded box cell) Substitution, this algorithm can be applied to both initial mesh generation and dynamic mesh adjustment along the border zones of multiple primitives that form an entire model. During the initial mesh generation, appropriate labels are assigned to the nodes and the faces of each finite element. These labels are used to facilitate decision-makings in dynamic mesh adjustment. A mapping technique is adopted to transform curved surfaces to plain ones for the ease of automatic mesh adjustment while still using the same algorithm. The meshing examples show that a finite element mesh can be adjusted dynamically and locally around its border zone; and the algorithm can be utilised effectively to simulate the thermal behaviour of a device under real operating conditions.

Keywords: adaptive meshing; CAE; finite element analysis; FEA; mapping; inverse mapping; thermal simulation; mesh generation; dynamic mesh adjustment; curved surfaces; CBC substitution; coded box cell.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2004.005934

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2004 Vol.21 No.3, pp.87 - 98

Published online: 30 Dec 2004 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article