Description

Meshing is the process of dividing a continuous model into discrete elements (such as triangles, tetrahedrons, hexahedrons) to simulate the behavior of materials and structures under various influences. Meshing plays an extremely important role in CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) because it directly affects the accuracy and performance of the simulation.

Meshing Techniques from 1D, 2D, 3D:

There are various meshing techniques chosen based on the size and complexity of the model:

1.1 Meshing from 1D Model:

• Used for bar-like models (such as beams, springs).
• Uniform Division: The model is divided into elements of equal size.
• Graded Division: The model is divided into elements that gradually increase or decrease in size according to a specific ratio.

1.2 Meshing from 2D Model:

• Used for plate-like models (such as metal sheets, vehicle shells).
• Triangular Mesh: The model is divided into triangles.
• Quadrilateral Mesh: The model is divided into quadrilaterals.
• Mixed Mesh: A combination of triangles and quadrilaterals.

1.3 Meshing from 3D Model:

• Used for any 3D models.
• Tetrahedral Mesh: The model is divided into tetrahedrons.
• Hexahedral Mesh: The model is divided into hexahedrons (cubes, rectangular boxes).
• Mixed Mesh: A combination of various element types.

Evaluating Mesh Quality:

The quality of the mesh directly impacts the accuracy and performance of the simulation. Therefore, mesh quality must be evaluated before performing the simulation. Some common evaluation criteria are:

• Element Size Ratio: The ratio between the maximum and minimum element sizes must be reasonable to ensure accuracy.
• Element Shape Quality: Mesh elements should have good shapes, avoiding distorted or overly narrow elements.
• Mesh Transition: Mesh elements should transition smoothly between different areas of the model.
• Convergence Capability: The simulation solution should converge as the number of mesh elements increases.

Importance of Meshing in CAE Analysis:

• Affecting Accuracy: A coarse mesh can lead to significant errors, while an overly fine mesh can require extensive computational time.
• Affecting Performance: The more detailed the mesh, the longer the computation time. It is crucial to balance accuracy and performance when creating the mesh.
• Affecting Convergence: The mesh must be created such that the simulation solution converges, meaning the results do not change significantly when the number of mesh elements is increased.