Creating Mesh Points to force node locations

Use the Mesh Point command to force the software to create a node at selected locations during meshing. You create mesh points directly on the polygon geometry in your FEM file. You can position them using the standard Snap Point options.

Mesh points are useful for ensuring that the software creates nodes at specific locations. You can also define point-based loads or boundary conditions on mesh points. For example, you can define a mesh point at any location on your model (A). When you generate the mesh, the software generates a node at the location of the mesh point (B).

Creating a mesh point at the location of an existing point

In the Mesh Point Constructor dialog box, you can use the Existing Point option in the Type list to create a mesh point at the location of an existing point. However, with this option, you can only select existing points that are associated to the geometry.

Note:

Points that are associated to your original CAD geometry are not associated with the polygon geometry the software generates when you create a FEM file. Therefore, you cannot select those points when you use the Existing Point option.

Projecting multiple mesh points simultaneously

You can use the Mesh Point command to project multiple mesh points onto multiple locations. For example, you can project a set of ten points onto three different surfaces at the same time.

In the Mesh Point Constructor dialog box, when you select Projected Point from the Type list, you can:

• Select multiple points to project.

• Select the curves, edges, or faces onto which you want to project the points.

• Use the Projection Method options to control the method that the software uses to project the points onto the selected geometry, such as edges or faces. For example, you can have the software project the points along a specified vector to the target geometry or onto the closest points on the target geometry.

• Select the Project to Nearest Object Only check box if you want the software to project the mesh point only to the closest object among the objects you select.

Creating mesh points inside volumes

You can use the Mesh Point command to create a mesh point in the interior of a volume. In the Mesh Point Constructor dialog box, select the Inside Solid option from the Type list and then select both the polygon body and the point within that body at which to create the mesh point.

Note:

The point that you select must be located inside the selected polygon body.

When you mesh the volume, the software generates a node at that location or uses an existing node at that location. If the mesh point is inside the boundary layer mesh, then the mesh point is not respected to preserve the boundary layer characteristics.

You may need to create a mesh point inside a volume when you define sensor locations in a fluid mesh. You can use the Inside Solid option to create a mesh point at the location where you want to place a sensor to ensure that the software generates a node there.

Using selection recipes to create mesh points

You can use selection recipes to define the mesh point locations when you use the Projected Point or Multiple Meshpoints on Curve/Edge methods to create mesh points.

• With the Projected Point method, you can use a selection recipe to define:The point or points to project.The target edge, curve, or face to which to project the mesh points.

• With the Multiple Meshpoints on Curve/Edge method, you can use a selection recipe to define the edges or curves on which to create the mesh points.

Rules that control mesh point creation

Because the software must create nodes on existing mesh points when you generate a mesh, the rules for mesh point creation differ from the rules for point creation. The following rules are designed to prevent you from creating mesh points in locations where they might cause a mesh to fail or have poor quality.

• You cannot create coincident mesh points.

• If the geometry on which you are creating the mesh point is unmeshed, then the specified Snap Tolerance value (in the Meshing Preferences dialog box) controls the minimum allowable distance between mesh points or between a mesh point and another topological entity, such as an edge or curve.

• If the geometry on which you are creating the mesh point is already meshed, then the specified Small Feature Tolerance (in the 2D Mesh or 3D Tetrahedral Mesh dialog box) for the mesh multiplied by the specified Element Size for the mesh controls the minimum allowable distance between mesh points or between a mesh point and another topological entity, such as an edge or curve.

Example: Create a mesh point at the centerpoint of a hole

The following example illustrates one use of mesh points. Suppose you want to transfer a load from the centerpoint of the hole to the nodes on the edge. You could use the Mesh Point to create a mesh point at the centerpoint of the hole and then use the Arc Center tool on the Top Border bar to constrain the new point.

You could then create a 1D Connection spider mesh to connect the mesh point to the nodes on the edge of the hole and define a fixed constraint at the mesh point.

Mesh point recipes

When you create mesh points with the Projected Point or Multiple Meshpoints on Curve/Edge methods, the software stores the information in a Mesh Point Recipe node under the Mesh Controls node in the Simulation Navigator. For example, you can use this recipe to edit existing mesh points.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	Mesh Point

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Creating Mesh Points to force node locations, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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