FINITE ELEMENT

MESHING

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-1

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-2
 MSC.Patran Finite Element
Application

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-3

 FINITE ELEMENT FORM
 Set an objective, such as creating a
mesh
 Provide the details to complete the
task, i.e. element type

Create Transform ... “Action”

Mesh Seed Mesh Node Element ... “Object”

Uniform Curve Edit Edit
One-Way Bias
Two Way Bias
2 Curves
Surface
... “Type”
Curve Based Solid

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-4

 FINITE ELEMENTS
A finite element model is a hypothetical discretization of
a component or a system into small regularly shaped
regions where the analysis is actually performed

Component
(Geometric Model)

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-5

 FINITE ELEMENTS
 Finite elements come in different shapes and forms

Bar Tri Quad

Tet Wedge Hex

 Linear and parabolic elements

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-6
 INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENT
MESHING
 Meshing a model consists of several tasks:
 Create appropriate geometry
 Parametric or non-parametric
 Remove unneeded features, e.g. small corners
 Specify the element topology (e.g. parabolic) and size
 Specify a mesher, e.g. Paver
 Identify the mesher for each region, and how the meshers will be
controlled
 MSC.Patran has several meshing algorithms:
 IsoMesh (mapped mesher)
 Paver (free mesher)
 TetMesh
 Sweep mesh

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-7

 FINITE ELEMENTS

 Topology and Physical Properties

 The MSC.Patran Finite Element application handles
issues related to mesh topology, e.g. which nodes
are connected together
 The physical properties associated with the topology
these elements will be handled in the MSC.Patran
Properties application, e.g. 2D bending shell element
of 2D solid plane stress element

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-8

 Basics & Definitions

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-9

 MSC.PATRAN MESHING ALGORITHMS

IsoMesh Mesh Sweep Mesh

Paver Mesh Tet Mesh Tetrahedral Mesh

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-10
 ISO (MAPPED) MESHER
STEPS IN ISOMESH CREATION
All IsoMesh mesh paths are identified by the IsoMesher
An IsoMesh mesh path is a set of topologically parallel geometric
edges (i.e. surface or solid edges)

b
5
b
a 4
1 2
b
a a
a
3 Gap is larger than
Global Model Tolerance

In the example above, Surface 1:3 are congruent and Surface 4:5 are
congruent, but Surfaces 3 and 4 are not congruent. Two of the
individual mesh paths are labeled “a” and “b”.

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-11

 ISO (MAPPED) MESHER (CONTINUED)
 The IsoMesher determines the number of elements across the width
(edges) of each mesh path, basesd on the following priority:
 Adjoining meshed regions that are topologically congruent
 Mesh Seeds on an edge (controls creation of nodes on curve or edge)
 Global Edge Length (GEL)
Note: Number of elements is independent between mesh paths

c
 c b
(    )

b
 Node

a

Z
 a
 b d
 
Y c
 
X

 The IsoMesher determines the physical location of each node to be

created from the vector function defining the shape of the geometry, e.g.
(X,Y,Z) = function (1,2)
 The IsoMesher creates the nodes and “element” connectivity
Note: The IsoMesher can be used only with geometry that is defined parametrically

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-12

 ISO (MAPPED) MESHER (CONCLUDED)
Mesh seed Adjacent mesh
Adjacent meshes Edge Mesh controlled controlled
on surfaces 1 and 2 Seeded
GEL Controlled

5 5
1 3 1 3

2 4 6* 2 4 6*

*Surfaces 1:6
 When no mesh seeds or adjoining mesh occur in a
mesh path, the Global Edge Length and the longest
edge in the mesh path determine the number of
elements per edge as follows:
Longest Geometric Edge Length
Number of Elements =
Global Edge Length

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-13

 PAVER FREE MESHER FOR SURFACES
 Used with all surface types
 The Paver meshes at the surface boundary (perimeter) first,
then, moves spiraling into the interior; the Paver does not
follow parametric directions, e.g. x1,x2
 Only the Paver recognizes associated (hard) points and
curves inside surfaces
2 3 12 16 15 14 13 7 12 16 15 14 13 7
13 12 11 10 9 13 12 11 10 9
17 30 29 28 27 11 17 30 29 28 27 11
14 8 14 23 22 21 8
18 31 26 10 18 31 36 35 26 10
1 15 7 15 24 25 20 7
19 32 25 9 19 32 33 34 25 9
16 6 16 17 18 19 6
20 21 22 23 24 8 20 21 22 23 24 8

Y 1 2 3 4 5 Y 1 2 3 4 5
Y
1 4 Z X 1 3 4 5 6 2 Z X 1 3 4 5 6 2
Z X

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-14

 PAVER MESHER FOR SURFACES
2
(CONCLUDED)
3
1 3 56 5 5 54 5 3 52 51 5 0 49 48 47 46 1 3 56 5 5 54 53 52 5 1 50 49 48 47 46

1 4 72 101 100 99 1 03 1 10 111

14 45 102 1 13 1 09 4 5
10 4
15 7 3 12 8 127 64 1 05 112 1 08 4 4
15 44
65 106
134 107 133 43
16 43 16 7 4 12 9
98 1 0 11 66
10 11
88 89
17 9 12 42 17 75 130 9 12 42
5 97
67 9 0 41
8 8 1
1 18 1 41 18 76 13 1
96
7 19 77 132 7 2 68 91 40
19 2 40
12 0
3 1 21 63 3
20 6 39 20 78 6 69 92 39
5 4 62 5 4 57
21 38 21 79 61 70 93 38
12 2 60 59 119
58
22 37 22 80 123 126 125 124 8 7 71 94 117 118 37

Y Y 23 36 Y 2 3 81 8 2 83 8 4 85 86 95 114 115 116 36

Z X 1 4 Z X 2 4 25 2 6 27 2 8 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Z X 2 4 25 2 6 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

 The number of elements per edge are based on the

following priority:
 Adjoining meshed regions that are topologically congruent
 Mesh Seeds
 Global edge length

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-15

 ISO (MAPPED) MESH VS PAVER (FREE) MESH
MESH SURFACES
IsoMesh
 Surface must be parametric – 3
or 4 sided
 Parameterization followed
 Interior elements are controlled
by edge constraints (e.g. mesh
seed)
 Interior associated geometry not
recognized
 User control
 Different smoothing algorithms
 Can select different element patterns,
e.g. triangular elements on surface
Paver
 Any surface including N-sided
 Parameterization not used
 Interior elements are not
controlled by edge constraints
 Interior associated geometry is
recognized
 User control
 Curvature check for curved surfaces
 Min./Max. element edge lengths

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-16

 ISO (MAPPED) MESH VS PAVER (FREE)
MESH (CONTINUED)
 Simple Surfaces

Iso Mesh

Surface 36

Paver
Mesh

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-17

 ISO (MAPPED) MESH VS PAVER (FREE)
MESH (CONTINUED)
IsoMesh and Paver Meshes

1 2 3

GEL = 1/4 GEL = 1/2 GEL = 1/3

1. First, this surface

meshed using 2. Second, this surface
Paver meshed using
3. Last, this surface IsoMesh (Notice the
meshed using Paver mesh seeds are
(matched existing identical, but meshes
All surfaces are 1 X 1 meshes) are quite different)

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-18

 ISO (MAPPED) MESH VS PAVER (FREE)
MESH (CONTINUED)
Mesh Parameters
IsoMesh Parameters
 Define mesh smoothing
parameters and mesh
patterns

Paver Parameters
 Allows for a tri element if element
count on the boundary is odd
numbered
 Curvature check allows for
refinement of elements on highly
curved boundaries
 Control for internal element size.
Default range is set to largest and
smallest element on the boundary.
PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-19
 MESHING CONTROL USING MESH SEEDS
 Mesh seeds are used to guide the mesher by specifying
the number of lengths of elements to be created
 Mesh seeds are useful in mesh transition
Transition control of IsoMesh with Less abrupt transition
mesh seeds
Abrupt transition

(1) (2) (1) (3) (2)

Note: (1) seeded for 2 elements Two Surfaces

(2) seeded for 6 elements
(3) seeded for 4 elements

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-20

 MESH TRANSITION
 Mesh seeds can be used to cause the mesh to
transition between two different mesh densities
 Mesh transitions must occur across a single face
when meshing solids (IsoMesh)
No
(ambiguous)

Yes

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-21

 TETRAHEDRAL MESHER TET MESH
Solid mesher that generates tetrahedral elements for solids
defined with an arbitrary number of faces (B-Rep solids)
Uses Delauney algorithm
Uses tria mesh on faces to generate tetrahedral elements in the interior of the
solid. MSC.Patran performs the following:
 Meshes Vertices
 Meshes Edges
 Meshes Faces
 Meshes Solids

Tet meshes into the

Tri element interior of solid
meshes all using tri mesh
faces first as “seed”

Y Y

Z Z
X X

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-22

 TETRAHEDRAL MESHER TETMESH
(CONCLUDED)

 Robust and fast

 Meshes B-Rep solids with silver faces
 Global parameters for meshing
 Global edge length
 Create P-element mesh (allows elements with greater distortion)
 Curvature check – more elements at curved geometry, e.g. more
lements on fillets
 Allows excellent mesh control:
 Creates meshes congruent to adjoining meshed regions (2D or 3D) that
are topologically congruent
 Creates meshes that follow mesh seeds and hard points on solid edges

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-23

 SWEEP MESHER
 Sweep a lower order element (or node) through space
to create higher order element, i.e. a quad is swept into
a hex
 Several sweeping techniques are available (Extrude,
Glide, etc.) to handle complex configurations
Glide 1D to 2D

Glide curve

1D bar
elements

 Mesh from a sweeping has no association with

geometric entities, hence, properties and LBC’s must
be applied directly on the finite elements
PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-24
 GEOMETRY IN MESHING
Mid-Surface Extraction

Manual- Select
corresponding
faces

Automatic - Select
solid and max
thickness

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-25

 GEOMETRY IN MESHING
Mid-Surface Extraction

Resulting Mid-Plane Geometry

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-26

 ASSOCIATED POINTS/CURVES
 Associated points/curves are used for controlling meshing of
regions (including interior) of the model
 Associated points/curves are regular geometric entities that
have been associated with parent geometry
 Associated Geometry is also referred to as Hard Geometry
Surface quad
meshed

Surface
created by Face quad
extruding meshed
Curve 1 up 1
Hex mesh
created by
sweeping quad
elements down
Edge of surface associated to face of solid

Mesh seeds applied on curve 1

 What meshers could be used?

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-27
 ASSOCIATION OF FINITE ELEMENTS
TO GEOMETRY

 When geometry (i.e. curve, surface, solid) is meshed

(i.e. Isomesh, Paver) the mesh (finite elements) is
associated automatically to the geometry
 If a mesh is “imported” onto geometry (i.e.
File/Import, Finite Elements/Transform) it is not
automatically associated to the geometry; it must be
associated manually, e.g. Finite Elements/Associate
 Why is it important to have a mesh associated to
geometry? Application region in Loads/BCs and/or
Properties

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-28

 NEW VERSION 2001 MESHING TOOLS

 Sheet-body Mesher
 Imprint Mesher
 Iso Meshing of Parasolid Surfaces
 Mid-Plane Mesher
 Mesh on Mesh

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-29

 NEW VERSION 2001 MESHING TOOLS PAT 302 Course Notes

SHEETBODY MESHER EXAMPLE

Advanced PATRAN

The geometry
IMPRINT MESHER shown on the
right has several
Skewed surfaces producing
skewed/collapsed Quad4
elements or skewed Tria3
problem areas.
Imprints nodes or bar elements to an We can use the
elements.

existing mesh. Sheetbody

Mesher to mesh
across these
The existing elements are split by these problem features
to produce a
nodes or bar elements. quality mesh.

The imprinting nodes or bars do not have

to be located on the existing mesh. They
are automatically projected onto the Sliver surfaces
producing sliver Quad4

mesh during the imprint meshing elements.

operation. PAT 302 Course Notes

Copyright 2001 MSC Software Corporation
Lec 11-19 Advanced PATRAN
Meshing Strategies

PAT 302 Course Notes Advanced PATRAN MID-PLANE MESHER

ISO MESHING OF PARASOLID SURFACE Examples of parts that can be mid-plane
EXAMPLE meshed
Para-solid
surfaces and
magenta
surfaces can
now be iso-
meshed
4 sided parasolid
All 3 or 4 sided surface which is
surfaces are iso-meshable
iso-meshable.
No inner
boundaries

Copyright 2001 MSC Software Corporation

Lec 11-32 Meshing Strategies
Copyright 2001 MSC Software Corporation
Lec 11-29 Meshing Strategies

PAT 322 – Finite Element Meshing PatOV Lect 11-30