Local refinement for 2D meshes

	This video demonstrates how to use the 2D Local Remesh command to refine a portion of a mesh.

For 2D meshes, you can use the 2D Local Remesh command to selectively refine or coarsen the elements in a very specific region without regenerating the entire mesh. For example, you may discover after you solve your model that the applied loads and structural response require that you refine a particular region of the mesh. You can use 2D Local Remesh to reduce the size of the elements in that region.

With 2D Local Remesh, you select the elements to refine or coarsen. You then use the options in the 2D Local Remesh dialog box to control how the software modifies the mesh. For example, you can specify a new element size or you can have the software reduce or enlarge the size of the selected elements by a specified factor.

The graphic below shows a 2D mesh on the midsurface of a bracket. (A) shows the existing mesh. Here, all elements except the highlighted elements were selected for refinement using the 2D Local Remesh command. (B) shows the refined mesh. The target element size in the original mesh is 40mm. The target element size in the refined mesh is 33mm.

Local remeshing can occur across faces

With the 2D Local Remesh command, you can choose to remesh:

• Selected elements on meshed face.

• All the elements on a meshed face.

• Selected elements on multiple meshed faces.

Locking element edges to limit refinement

Use the Lock Element Edges to ensure that the software does not modify selected element edges along the boundary of a mesh during the local remeshing process. Use this option when you want to coarsen or refine a portion of a mesh but not affect the discretization along the boundary. When you lock selected element edges, the software transitions between the element size at the locked edge and refinement mesh parameters that you specify.

Local remeshing gives you control over selected meshing options

You can use the options in the 2D Local Remesh dialog box to specify options for how the software refines the mesh on the selected elements. You can control:

• The new element size. You can specify a new element size, or you can have the software reduce the size of the selected elements by a specified factor.

• The rate of transition between the size of the elements you refined and their neighboring elements.

When you remesh selected elements, the updated elements inherit the properties of the original mesh, such as any defined Mesh Associated Data.

Note:

When you locally remesh elements, you cannot locally control the wide range of meshing parameters that are available in the 2D Mesh dialog box when you originally generate a mesh. For example, with the 2D Local Remesh command, you cannot control the Meshing Method the software uses.

Defining local mesh controls

You can use the options in the Local Mesh Controls group dialog box to define a new or modify an existing Mapped Hole mesh control. You can use these options to create structured rows of elements around a hole or inner loop. For example, you can specify the number of elements to as well as the number of rows or layers of structured elements to create around the hole.

2D Local Remesh locks the mesh

Like other manual modifications commands, 2D Local Remesh locks the affected mesh. This prevents you from accidentally removing any existing modifications you made with the 2D Local Remesh command if the mesh updates. In the Simulation Navigator, the lock icon and Status column indicate whether a mesh is locked.

2D Collectors
2d_mesh(1)
2d_mesh(2)

If the mesh is locked, you can:

• Continue to use the 2D Local Remesh command as well as the commands on the Nodes and Elements tab.

• Use the Unlock Mesh command to remove the lock restriction. If the mesh later updates, the software removes any modifications you made with the 2D Local Remesh command.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	An active FEM file
Command Finder	2D Local Remesh
Menu	Insert→Mesh→Local Remesh

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Local refinement for 2D meshes, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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