The finite element method has played an important role in helping the understanding of physics; from material mechanics to plasma flow, and is an extremely versatile tool for faster and better prototyping of today's industrial products, ranging from sub-micron semiconductor devices to large scale flight vehicles and reservoir dams. The outstanding power of the finite element method lies in its capability to solve geometrically complicated problems. However, this capability can only be fulfilled by an appropriately constructed mesh. With the recent emergence of the adaptive finite element method, users are relieved from the difficulties involved in appropriate/optimal mesh design and an automatic adaptive finite element analysis seems within reach. However, the realisation of adaptive finite element methods requires extensive theoretical and numerical development, together with, in order to properly integrate them into a smoothly operating system, the redesign of system philosophy and infrastructures. it is this aspect of the finite element method that makes a modern finite element system drastically different from the more traditional mesh-based ones. This thesis is on the design and development of such an automated, adaptive finite element simulation system. The emphasis is on its automation and adaptivity. Central to the system is the geometry-based philosophy. The system comprises two crucial procedures, namely, model discretisation and accuracy assessment. Mesh generation and mesh adaptation techniques are systematically reviewed. A geometry-based automatic 3D mesh generator, based on the 2-stage scheme of the unstructured approach exploiting the novel Delaunay simplexification algorithm has been researched and successfully developed. A mesh adaptator has also been developed to assume the responsibility of mesh adaptation. The mesh adaptator is a combination of the regeneration-based and node-based schemes of the <i>h</i>-adaptation approach. Other supporting modules such as the discretisation controller, automatic attribute assigner and solution mapper are also developed to form the complete model discretisation procedure.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:637183 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Guang, G-J. |
| Publisher | Swansea University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0014 seconds