Understanding the adaptive refinement process

In each iteration during an Adaptivity solution process, the software compares the generated or existing results to the specified accuracy parameters in the Adaptivity Meta Solution dialog box. If the calculated error value or values are higher than the accuracy parameters you specified, the software refines the mesh based on the criteria you specified in the Mesh Parameters group of options. For example, you can control the following:

• How many iterations the software performs in the adaptive process

• The maximum level of element refinement allowed in each iteration

• Whether the software should use a local or global remeshing approach

For more information on these parameters, see Specifying the mesh parameters for adaptive meshing.

The software continues the process of solving the model and remeshing until it reaches the maximum number of specified iterations or until the solution converges. The software determines convergence by comparing the specified accuracy parameters to the calculated error value or values. If the calculated values are equal to or less than the specified accuracy parameters, the software considers the solution to be converged.

The software stores adaptivity information in a log file. The log file includes information about each iteration, such as the total number of elements and nodes and the computed accuracy parameters, as well as whether the model has converged.

The software creates a new intermediate mesh during each iteration. Select the Keep Solver Output Files for All Iterations option to retain copies of all solver files for each iteration. You can then view data about the model from each iteration.

Note:

If the analysis does not converge, this final mesh may not represent the most accurate mesh.

Mesh refinement for 2D meshes

For 2D meshes, the software uses the specified Meshing Method to refine them either globally or locally to reduce the error values.

• With global mesh refinement, the software deletes the existing mesh and creates a new mesh in each iteration.

• With local mesh refinement, the software deletes the elements in the regions in which the error values are highest. It then creates new, smaller elements in those areas. With local remeshing, the software tries to limit the changes to the surrounding mesh. However, it may need to smooth nodes in the areas surrounding the high error values to preserve the overall quality of the mesh.

If your model contains dependent meshes created with the 2D Dependent Mesh command, the software first refines the mesh on the master face in the dependency. It then refines the mesh on the associated target face.

Mesh refinement for 3D meshes

For 3D meshes, the software first uses the specified Meshing Method to refine the surface triangles on the solid body to reduce the error values. It then propagates those mesh changes to the 3D elements in the interior of the body.

Mesh failures

• If the remeshing process fails, for example, if it exceeds the specified maximum number of nodes, the software discontinues the remeshing process. The mesh is not stored. The software restores the mesh from the beginning of the current iteration.

• If the software is unable to generate a mesh on some or all of the model, it places the associated geometry in a group.

Learn more

Adaptive meshing

Adaptive meshing workflow

Supported solution types for adaptive meshing

Pre-processing requirements for adaptive meshing

Specifying accuracy parameters for adaptive meshing

Specifying the mesh parameters for adaptive meshing

Singularities in adaptive meshing

Excluding parts of the model from adaptive meshing

Refining specific parts of an adaptive mesh

Viewing adaptive meshing results

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Understanding the adaptive refinement process, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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