Check Mesh Topology

 

▒ Overview

IMG_C_ICON_DOT.gifAnalyze the mesh information and sort the mesh depending on classification for easy distinction. Apply the check mesh menu to view all existing meshes regardless of the view/hide status to display all calculated free lines, free surfaces, and etc. on the screen.  

When checking a free surface, the mesh is displayed as a wireframe and it may be difficult to check for free surfaces existing within the interior of the model. In this case, the mesh check is performed with all target meshes hidden.

 

▒ Methodology

 

Non-Manifold Edges (Blue)

Check Non-Manifold edges in blue. A Non-Manifold edge is formed at the meeting edge of three or more element surfaces.

 

Feature Edge (Yellow)

Check the feature edge in yellow. A feature edge is the line that has a sudden change in the model shape, and has an angle larger than the feature division angle between 2 element surfaces.

  • Feature Angle

Input the feature angle to calculate the feature edge.

 

Free Faces (Orange)

Check the free surface in orange. The free surface is the section where the nodes between 3D elements are not connected.

  • Show Bounding Faces

This is an option to show/hide the boundary faces among free faces. It is useful to check free faces located inside in case of 3D complex model.

 

Clamped Element (Purple)

Check the clamped element in purple. Search for elements with all nodes on the free surface in each 3D element. If the boundary condition is all applied on the free surface of the mesh, the confined element does not affect the analysis.  

 

Overlapped Element (Green)

Check overlapped elements that have the same node information at the same position. The elements are highlighted in green, and the Element > Delete function can be used to delete the overlapping element. The illustration below shows the presence of overlapped elements in a model:

                            

                           Original Mesh                                                                      Original + Overlapped Elements                                             Overlapped Elements (Green)

Penetrated Element (Pink)

Check penetrated elements that have penetrated an pre-existing element/mesh set, here new nodes are present inside a pre-existing element. The elements are highlighted in pink, and the Element > Delete function can be used to delete the penetrated element. The illustration below shows the presence of penetrated elements in a model:

                      

                          Original Mesh                                                                      Original + Penetrated Elements                                             Penetrated Elements (Pink)

NOTE: Presence of either free faces (non bounding) in the absence of interface and seepage cut off element  might lead to divergence and errors in results calculations. Hence, it is recommended  to perform this check for free faces  immediately after meshing or before running the analysis.