Workshop 3.

Meshing Control

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical

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WS3.2: Meshing Control

Workshop 3.2 - Goals Workshop Supplement

• Use the various ANSYS Mechanical mesh controls to enhance the

mesh for the model below.
• Problem statement:
– The model consists of a CAD file representing a solenoid.
– Our goal is to mesh the model using all defaults and inspect the result.
Next we will add mesh controls to modify the mesh in various regions of
the model.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control
Workshop 3.2 - Assumptions Workshop Supplement

• Since this is a meshing exercise we will not be applying loads or

solving the model. Instead we will assume a linear static structural
analysis is to follow the meshing operation.

• Note, due to a certain randomness in the nature of meshing, the

actual number of elements generated during the workshop may vary
from machine to machine. This is normal.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control

Workshop 3.2 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement

• Open the Project page.

• From the “Units” menu verify:
– Project units are set to “US Customary (lbm, in, s, F, A, lbf, V).
– “Display Values in Project Units” is checked (on).

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WS3.2: Meshing Control
Workshop 3.2 – Project Schematic Workshop Supplement

1. In the Toolbox, double click

“Static Structural” to create a
new analysis system.

1.

2.
2. RMB on the “Geometry” cell and
“Import Geometry”. Browse to
“Solenoid_Body.stp”.

3. Double click the “Model” cell to

start the Mechanical application. 3.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control

Workshop 3.2 - Basic Meshing Workshop Supplement

• Start by meshing the model using all

defaults. This will establish a “base
line” from which we can compare
changes.

4. Highlight the mesh branch, “RMB > 4.

Generate Mesh”.

When mesh generation

completes we can view
the mesh and inspect the
statistics in the details for
the mesh branch.
Note: node/element count
may vary slightly across
machines/platforms.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control
. . . Workshop 3.2 – Mesh Size Control Workshop Supplement

• Based on our inspection we may decide a

more refined mesh is necessary for our
analysis.
5. In the mesh branch details expand the
“sizing” section and set the “Relevance 5.
Center” to “Medium.
6. RMB the mesh branch and Generate Mesh.

6.
Again visually the
refinement is obvious.
Details also show an
increase in mesh size.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control

. . . Workshop 3.2 – Mesh Shape Control Workshop Supplement

• A closer look at the mesh seems to show some anomalies where

certain faces meet.
• By zooming to the area in question we can see several small
“sliver” surfaces are forcing a fine mesh locally.
• We’ll attempt to clean this up using virtual topology.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control
Workshop 3.2 – Virtual Topology Workshop Supplement

7. Insert the virtual topology branch

(highlight the Model branch):
a. RMB > Insert > Virtual Topology.
a.

• Since it appears that the sliver area is

closer to being tangent to the sides, we
will combine these into virtual cells.

Sliver

Side In order to preserve the basic

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topology we will join pairs of
surfaces into virtual cells
rather than trying to combine
all surfaces together. The
result will be 3 cells per side, 6
in total.
Release 12.1
WS3.2-9 January 2010

WS3.2: Meshing Control

Workshop 3.2 – Virtual Topology Workshop Supplement

8. Create Virtual Cells: b. a.

a. Select one of the sliver surfaces.
b. Hold the CTRL key and select
the adjacent surface (as shown
at right).
c. RMB > Insert > Virtual Cell. c.

• The resulting virtual cell is

displayed in red. Although
underlying surfaces still exist,
this is the surface the mesher
will use.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control
. . . Workshop 3.2 – Virtual Topology Workshop Supplement

• Continue by creating the remaining 5

virtual cells (select in pairs as before).
When complete you will have a total
of 6 virtual cells.

9. Remesh the model (highlight the

mesh branch):
a. RMB > Generate Mesh.
a.

The resulting mesh shows

a much more uniform
mesh with a significant
reduction in element
count.

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WS3.2: Meshing Control

. . . Workshop 3.2 – Mapped Face Meshing Workshop Supplement

10. Map mesh several faces (highlight

Mesh branch):
a. Select the 3 planar faces shown here.
b. RMB > Insert > Mapped Face Meshing.
c. RMB > Generate Mesh.
a.
As shown map
meshing results is
elements on the
selected faces which b.
share very regular
shapes.

c.

If time permits experiment with other mesh

controls.
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