Automatic adaptive mesh generation using metric advancing front approach

Abstract

A new mesh generation procedure is suggested for the generation of 2D adaptive finite element meshes with strong element gradation and stretching effects. Metric tensors are employed to define and control the element characteristics during the mesh generation process. By using the metric tensor specification and a new, robust and refined advancing front triangulation kernel, triangles with nearly unit edge length with respect to the normalized space are generated. Highly graded and stretched elements can be generated without much difficulty and the operation complexity of the mesh generation process is exactly the same as the usual 2D advancing front mesh generator. A set of mesh quality enhancement procedures has also been suggested for the further improvement of the quality of the finite element meshes. A simple and effective mesh conversion scheme is used to convert the output triangular mesh to a pure quadrilateral mesh while all the essential element characteristics are preserved. Mesh generation examples show that high quality finite element meshes with element characteristics compatible with the specified metric tensors are generated within a reasonable time limit in a common small computing environment.