41.8.1 Refining a planar, triangular mesh

Select MeshEdit from the main menu bar to refine a planar, triangular mesh. You can remesh the part using the following methods:

With a specified global element size

Before you remesh the part, you have the option of assigning a target element size to the entire part. You can then remesh the part, and the density of the new mesh reflects the new target element size. For example, when the part in Figure 41–21 is remeshed with a global element size of 15.0, Figure 41–19 shows the resulting mesh.

Figure 41–19 A global element size of 15.0.

Figure 41–20 shows the part remeshed with a global element size of 8.0.

Figure 41–20 A global element size of 8.0.

Without a specified global element size

If no global element size is specified, ABAQUS/CAE maintains the edges of the elements along the boundary of the part while improving the mesh quality in the interior of the part. The resulting mesh topology is different from the original mesh topology. For example, Figure 41–21 shows a distorted mesh.

Figure 41–21 A distorted mesh.

When the part is remeshed, the quality of the mesh improves dramatically, as shown in Figure 41–22.

Figure 41–22 The part is remeshed without specifying a global element size.

To refine a planar, triangular mesh with a specified global element size:

  1. Enter the Mesh module.

  2. From the Object field in the context bar, select Part and select an orphan mesh part from the list of parts. This tool is available only for working on an orphan mesh part.

  3. From the main menu bar, select MeshEdit.

    ABAQUS/CAE displays the Edit Mesh dialog box.

    Tip:  You can also display the Edit Mesh dialog box using the tool, located at the bottom of the Mesh module toolbox.

  4. In the dialog box, choose Refinement from the Category field.

  5. From the Method list, select Set size, and click Apply.

  6. In the prompt area, type the global element size of your choice, and press [Enter].

    ABAQUS/CAE displays a circle that indicates what the size of the elements will be after you remesh the part.

  7. From the Method list, select Remesh, and click OK.

  8. From the buttons that appear in the prompt area, click Yes.

    ABAQUS/CAE attempts to refine the mesh. If you make a mistake while refining the mesh, click Undo in the Edit Mesh dialog box to undo the refinement.

To refine a planar, triangular mesh without a specified global element size:

  1. Enter the Mesh module.

  2. From the Object field in the context bar, select Part and select an orphan mesh part from the list of parts. This tool is available only for working on an orphan mesh part.

  3. From the main menu bar, select MeshEdit.

    ABAQUS/CAE displays the Edit Mesh dialog box.

    Tip:  You can also display the Edit Mesh dialog box using the tool, located at the bottom of the Mesh module toolbox.

  4. In the dialog box, choose Refinement from the Category field.

  5. From the Method list, select Remove size, and click Apply.

  6. From the Method list, select Remesh, and click OK.

  7. From the buttons that appear in the prompt area, click Yes.

    ABAQUS/CAE attempts to refine the mesh. If you make a mistake while refining the mesh, click Undo in the Edit Mesh dialog box to undo the refinement.


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