ANSYS Meshing Application Introduction

Chapter 6
Sweep Meshing
ANSYS Meshing
Application Introduction
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 6-1 Inventory #002645
Sweep Meshing
Overview Training Manual
Sweep Approaches for Hexahedral Meshing

Sweeping Terminology
Challenges with Sweeping
Comparing Workbench Sweep Methods
Sweep Meshing Approach
Sweepable Bodies
Inflation for a Swept Mesh
Sweep Method Mesh Controls
Sweep or Thin Sweep?
Thin Model Sweeps
Workshop 6.1 Swept Mesh for a Multibody Part
Workshop 6.2 Thin Model Sweep

Sweep Meshing
Sweep Methods for Hexahedral Meshing Training Manual
There are 3 hex meshing or sweeping approaches in Workbench

ANSYS Meshing:
1. Sweep Method
Traditional sweep method
Improved at R12
2. Thin Sweep Method
New at R11
Improved at R12
3. Multizone
New at R12

Sweep Meshing
Sweeping Terminology Training Manual
In evaluation of which method to use there are some important terms to

consider/understand.
When creating a hex mesh, a source face is meshed and then extruded
to the target face
Other faces are called side face(s)
The sweeping direction or path is defined by the side face(s)
The layers of elements between the source and target faces are
created through interpolation schemes and projected to the side face(s).
Side face
Sweep Path
Target face
Source face

Sweep Meshing
Sweeping Terminology Training Manual
To mesh a complete solid/fluid, several sweep operations may be

required
Geometry decomposition (splitting/etc) is done:
to control the mesh (get layered mesh in a gap)
or to create sweepable bodies.
To mesh the sweepable
bodies conformally the
bodies should be grouped
into a multibody part.
Here the geometry has
been split into several
bodies each with a single
source and target face

Sweep Meshing
Challenges with Sweeping Training Manual
Sweeping will only work for geometries that are sweepable. The
following are some limitations that pose challenges for sweep mesh
methods:
Multiple source or target faces
Multiple sides along sweep direction (although multiple sides may
pose quality issues due to additional constraints they impose)
Geometry decomposition into sweepable regions
How geometry is constructed, VTs, etc.
Unclear source/target/side definitions
Handling of Multibody parts:
Unclear sweep direction through multibody parts
Conformal meshing (both for parts where all/most bodies are swept, and those
where some bodies are being meshed with free methods i.e. tetrahedral)

Sweep Meshing
Challenges with Sweeping Training Manual
The Thin Sweep and MultiZone methods were introduced to help resolve
some of the difficulties with the general sweep approach.
Thin Sweep Method:

Good at handling multiple sources and targets for thin parts
MultiZone Method
Provides free decomposition approach: attempts to slice up the model
without having to do this manually to the geometry
Supports multi-source and multi-target approach

Sweep Meshing
Comparing Workbench Sweep Methods Training Manual
Thin Sweep Method:

Sweeps multiple sources to
paired multiple targets
Good substitute for midsurfacing
shell models to get a pure hex mesh
Sweep Method:
Sweeps a single
source/face to a
single target/face.
Does a good job
of handling multiple
side faces along sweep
Geometry needs to be MultiZone Method:
decomposed so that Free decomposition approach
each sweep path is Multiple sources to multiple targets
represented by 1 body.

Sweep Meshing
Sweep Meshing Approach Training Manual
Sweepable bodies can be meshed efficiently

with hexahedral and wedge elements using
this technique
Sweep Meshing Approach
Source and target faces that are topologically
on the opposite sides of the body are either
manually or automatically chosen.
Source face meshed with quadrilateral and
triangular faces
Source face mesh copied to the target face.
Hexahedral or wedge elements generated
connecting the two faces and following the
exterior topology of the body
Single source/single target for a body
Can apply single Sweep Method to multiple
bodies in a single part

Sweep Meshing
Sweepable Bodies Training Manual
A body is sweepable if:

It contains no completely enclosed voids
There is at least one path from a source
surface to a target surface connected by
edges or closed surfaces
There are no hard divisions defined such that
there would a different number of divisions on
corresponding edges of a source and target
face
Can preview via a right-click on Show
Sweepable Bodies
Will not find axis sweepable bodies, but these
can always be set manually
Source and target faces do not have to be
flat or parallel
Cross-sectional shape does not have to be
constant
Sweep Meshing
Inflation for Swept Meshes Training Manual
For a swept mesh, inflation is

applied by selecting the edges
from which inflation is desired on
the source face
The Src/Trg Selection on the Mesh
method should therefore be set to
either Manual Source or Manual
Source and Target
Once a source is defined, you will
then be able to define inflation
Inflation for a swept mesh will use
the Pre inflation algorithm
Only the First Layer or Total
Thickness options are available

Sweep Meshing
Sweep Method Mesh Controls Training Manual
Free Face Mesh Type

Quad/Tri (Default)
All Tri
All Quad
Type
Element Size (Soft Constraint)
Number of Divisions (Hard Constraint)
Sweep Bias Type
Same as edge biasing (from source to
target) but no graphical feedback
Constrain Boundary (multibody parts)
Yes prevents the mesher from splitting
the elements at the boundary of a swept
mesh region to aid in meshing.
No allows splitting since the boundary is
not constrained (Default)
Yes prevents tetrahedral and pyramid
elements from being introduced into a
hexahedral/wedge mesh.
Sweep Meshing
Sweeping Around Bends Training Manual
When sweeping geometry that contains many twists/bends, the swept

mesher can produce twisted elements, causing the mesher to fail
Depends on the underlying topology of the geometry
Geometry created in several steps (e.g. a series of Extrudes and Revolves)
is more likely to cause problems
One way to avoid this is to create geometry in a single 3D operation
Use a Sweep operation rather than a series of Extrudes/Revolves
In some CAD packages extruding/sweeping along a single spline curve
produces better topology than extruding/sweeping along a segmented
curve

Sweep Meshing
Sweep or Thin Sweep? Training Manual
Thin Sweep Method:

Sweeps multiple sources to
paired multiple targets
Good substitute for midsurfacing
shell models to get a pure hex mesh
Sweep Method:
Sweeps a single
source/face to a
single target/face.
Does a good job
of handling multiple
side faces along sweep
Geometry needs to be
decomposed so that
each sweep path is
Some models can be
represented by 1 body. meshed with either
approach

Sweep Meshing
When to use Sweep vs. Thin Sweep Training Manual
Use Sweep Method When:
The side faces are not thin*.

You only have 1 source and 1 target
The sweep direction changes along the path
Use Thin Sweep Method When:
The side faces are thin*.

You have multiple sources and targets
Path is linear
* In general, thin means that the side faces are small in relation to the
source faces (aspect ratio of sides/sources is ~ 1/5th)

Sweep Meshing
Thin Model Sweeps Training Manual
Thin models with more than

one source and face can be
swept using the Automatic or
Manual Thin Model
Model should be thin and 1
source(s) and target(s)
cannot touch each other. 2
The model must have an
obvious side 3
Multibody parts are
supported, but only one
element through the
thickness is allowed
No inflation or bias in sweep
direction
Multiple sources captured,
multiple targets ignored

Sweep Meshing
Thin Solid Sweep Treatment Training Manual
Multiple source Multiple target
Multiple sources captured Multiple targets ignored

Workshop 6.1
Sweep Meshing for
a Multibody Part

Sweep Meshing
Goals Training Manual
This workshop demonstrates the use of a sweep method for a multibody part
and shows how edge sizings can be used to specify the mesh gradation
in the sweep direction. It also demonstrates inflation for a swept mesh.

Sweep Meshing
Importing Geometry Training Manual
1. Copy the multi.agdb file from

the Tutorial Files folder to your
working directory
2. Start Workbench and double-
click the Mesh entry in the
Component Systems panel
3. Right-click on Geometry in the
Mesh entry in the Project
Schematic and select Import
Geometry/Browse
4. Browse to the multi.agdb file
you copied and click Open.
Note that the Geometry entry
in the Project Schematic now
has a green check mark.

Sweep Meshing
Insert Sweep Mesh Training Manual
5. Double click the Mesh entry in

the Mesh object on the Project
Schematic
6. Close the Meshing Options
Panel at the right without setting
anything.
7. Right-click on Mesh and insert a
Method. Select both bodies and
set the method to Sweep.
8. Set the Src/Trg selection to
Manual Source and select the
two faces shown as the Source

Sweep Meshing
Edge Sizing Training Manual
9. Define an Edge Sizing for the 2 edges shown with 20 Hard Divisions. Set the
Bias Type to shrink towards the ends and set the Bias Factor to 4

Sweep Meshing
Sweep Settings Training Manual
10. On the Mesh Options, set the Physics Preference to CFD and the Solver
Preference to Fluent. Turn off the Advanced Size Function and set an Element
Size of 0.25 [cm]. Expand the Statistics entry and set the Mesh Metric to
Skewness

Sweep Meshing
Initial Mesh Training Manual
11. Generate the Mesh. Note the effect of the Edge Sizing and the Max Skewness

Sweep Meshing
Inflating the Method Training Manual
12. Inflate the Sweep Method selecting the 8 edges shown. Set the Inflation Option to
Total Thickness and set 5 layers with a Maximum Thickness of 0.5 [cm].

Sweep Meshing
Inflated Mesh Training Manual
13. Generate the Mesh. Observe the nature of the mesh and the Max Skewness.

Workshop 6.2
Thin Model Sweep

Sweep Meshing
Goals Training Manual
This workshop demonstrates the use of the Thin Model Sweep method
for a single body with multiple elements through the thickness.
It also shows how Virtual Topology can be used to convert the model
to a form suitable for a normal sweep which allows bias in the sweep
direction and inflation

Sweep Meshing
Importing Geometry Training Manual
1. Copy the thinmodel.agdb file

from the Tutorial Files folder to
your working directory
2. Start Workbench and double-
click the Mesh entry in the
Component Systems panel
3. Right-click on Geometry in the
Mesh entry in the Project
Schematic and select Import
Geometry/Browse
4. Browse to the thinmodel.agdb
file you copied and click Open.
Note that the Geometry entry
in the Project Schematic now
has a green check mark.

Sweep Meshing
Insert Sweep Mesh Training Manual
5. Double click the Mesh entry in

the Mesh object on the Project
Schematic
6. Close the Meshing Options
Panel at the right without setting
anything.
7. Right-click on Mesh and insert a
Method. Select the body and set
the method to Sweep.
8. Set the Src/Trg selection to
Manual Thin and select the three
faces shown as the Source.
9. Set the Sweep Num Divs to 4

Sweep Meshing
Mesh Sizing and Metric Training Manual
10. Click on Mesh in the Outline

11. Change the Physics Preference to
CFD and the Solver Preference to
Fluent
12. Expand the Sizing Entry and note
that the Advanced Size Function is
set to On: Curvature
13. Set the Max Face Size to 0.10 [in].
(Note: if the units are set to some
other system, click on Units in the
Menu Bar and change to U.S.
Customary (in, lbm, )
14. Expand the Statistics entry and set
the Mesh Metric to Skewness

Sweep Meshing
Mesh and Mesh Quality Training Manual
15. Generate the Mesh. Note the Mesh count and Skewness metric

Sweep Meshing
Inserting a Virtual Face Training Manual
16. If the 3 faces on the source and target faces are combined
into single faces using Virtual Topology, the resulting
model can be swept meshed with a Manual Source which
will allow for inflation and a bias in the sweep direction.
Highlight Model in the Project Outline and then left-click
on the Virtual Topology entry.
17. Set the selection filter to faces and select the 3 faces which
comprise the Sweep source
18. Right click on the Virtual Topology entry which
appeared in the Outline and choose Insert Virtual Cell

Sweep Meshing
Modifying the Sweep Method Training Manual
19. Add a second Virtual Face for the 3

faces on the Target
20. On the Sweep Method, you will need to
change Src/Trg option to Manual Source
and enter the Virtual source face you
created
21. Note that you can now set a bias in the
sweep direction. Set the bias to be finer
on the ends with a Sweep Bias of 2.

Sweep Meshing
Inflating the Sweep Training Manual
22. Right-click on the Sweep Method in the

Outline and choose Inflate This Method
23. Pick the 8 outer edges of the Source
Virtual Face as the Geomety and set the
Inflation Option to Total Thickness with a
value of 0.10 [in].

Sweep Meshing
Inflated Mesh Training Manual
24. Generate the mesh. Note the inflation from the outer edges and the bias in the
sweep direction.


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Chapter 6

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Overview Training Manual

Sweep Approaches for Hexahedral Meshing

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep Methods for Hexahedral Meshing Training Manual

There are 3 hex meshing or sweeping approaches in Workbench

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweeping Terminology Training Manual

In evaluation of which method to use there are some important terms to

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweeping Terminology Training Manual

To mesh a complete solid/fluid, several sweep operations may be

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Challenges with Sweeping Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Challenges with Sweeping Training Manual

Thin Sweep Method:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Comparing Workbench Sweep Methods Training Manual

Thin Sweep Method:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep Meshing Approach Training Manual

Sweepable bodies can be meshed efficiently

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweepable Bodies Training Manual

A body is sweepable if:

Inflation for Swept Meshes Training Manual

For a swept mesh, inflation is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep Method Mesh Controls Training Manual

Free Face Mesh Type

Sweeping Around Bends Training Manual

When sweeping geometry that contains many twists/bends, the swept

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep or Thin Sweep? Training Manual

Thin Sweep Method:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

When to use Sweep vs. Thin Sweep Training Manual

Use Sweep Method When:

The side faces are not thin*.

Use Thin Sweep Method When:

The side faces are thin*.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Thin Model Sweeps Training Manual

Thin models with more than

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Thin Solid Sweep Treatment Training Manual

Multiple source Multiple target

Multiple sources captured Multiple targets ignored

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Goals Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Importing Geometry Training Manual

1. Copy the multi.agdb file from

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Insert Sweep Mesh Training Manual

5. Double click the Mesh entry in

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Edge Sizing Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep Settings Training Manual