Mesh Improvement Methodology for 3D Volumes with non-Planar Surfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel mesh improvement methodology for 3D volumes with non-planar surfaces, utilizing a numerical optimization algorithm that targets worst elements while preserving geometry and volume.

Contribution

It presents a new optimization-based approach for improving meshes with non-planar surfaces, addressing limitations of traditional methods.

Findings

Effective improvement of mesh quality on non-planar surfaces

Preservation of domain geometry during node movement

Enhanced mesh quality where traditional methods fail

Abstract

A mesh improvement methodology is pre- sented which aims to improve the quality of the worst elements in 3D meshes with non-planar surfaces which cannot be improved using traditional methods. A nu- merical optimisation algorithm, which specifically tar- gets the worst elements in the mesh, but is a smooth function of nodal positions is introduced. A method of moving nodes on curved surfaces whilst maintaining the domain geometry and preserving mesh volume is proposed. This is shown to be very effective at improv- ing meshes for which traditional mesh improvers do not perform well.