Lecture 4

Meshing Techniques
15.0 Release

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical
1 © 2014 ANSYS, Inc. February 12, 2014 Release 15.0
 Chapter Overview
In this chapter controlling meshing operations is described.
Topics:
A. Global Meshing Controls
B. Local Meshing Controls
C. Meshing Troubleshooting
D. Virtual Topology
E. Direct Modeling
F. Model Assembly
G. Workshop 4.1 – Mesh Control
H. Appendix : Mesh Criterias

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 Meshing in Mechanical
The nodes and elements representing the geometry model make up the mesh:
• A “default” mesh is automatically generated during a solution.
• It is generally recommended that additional controls be added to the default
mesh before solving.
• A finer mesh produces more precise answers but also increases CPU time
and memory requirements.

Generate the mesh or preview the surface of

the mesh before solving (previewing the
surface mesh is faster than generating the
entire mesh).

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 A. Global Meshing Controls
Physics Based Meshing allows the user to specify
the metrics used in measuring element quality to
be based on the kind of analysis being done.
Physics preferences are:
• Mechanical
• Electromagnetics
• CFD
• Explicit
Different analysis types define acceptable or
favorable element shapes differently. For this
course we limit the discussion to Mechanical.

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 … Global Meshing Controls
• Relevance is the most basic global size control and is set in the “Defaults” area
of the mesh details.
• Relevance is set between –100 and +100 (zero = default).

- Relevance = + Relevance = fine

coarse mesh mesh

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 … Global Meshing Controls
Sizing Control:

• These settings assume the “Use Advanced Size

Function” is set to “Off”.

• Relevance Center: sets the mid point of the “Relevance” slider control.
• Element Size: defines the maximum element size used for the entire model.
• For most static structural applications the default values for the remaining global
controls are usually adequate.
Relevance Center

Medium
Coarse Fine

0 0
-100 +100 -100 +100

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 … Global Meshing Controls
Advanced Size Functions provide additional control over the global mesh sizing
and are activated in the mesh details.
• While many of these controls are beyond the scope of an introductory course
we’ll explain some of the advanced size controls here. As stated earlier linear
static analysis types usually do not share the same meshing demands as more
advanced analysis types (e.g. nonlinear, transient thermal, etc.).
• Three advanced size functions can be employed: proximity, curvature and
fixed (proximity and curvature can be combined).

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 … Global Meshing Controls
The “Fixed” size function provides minimum and maximum element size controls.
“Curvature” as the name implies, is driven by the curvature encountered in the
geometry. For models dominated by lots of curved features this control provides a
way to refine the mesh over much of the model without using local controls.
For models composed of mostly linear features the control will have a lesser
impact.

Curvature = 75 deg.
Curvature = 20 deg.

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 … Global Meshing Controls
Proximity provides a means to control the mesh density in regions of the model
where features are located closer together. In cases where the geometry contains
lots of detail this can be a quick way to refine the mesh in all areas without
applying numerous local controls.
As mentioned earlier proximity and curvature can be combined. The choice of
control is dictated by the geometry being meshed.

Num Cells = 2 Num Cells = 5

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 … Global Meshing Controls
Shape Checking:
• Standard Mechanical – linear stress, modal and
thermal analyses.
• Aggressive Mechanical – large deformations and
material nonlinearities.
Element Midside Nodes:
• Program Controlled (default), Dropped or Kept (see
below).
Number of Retries: if poor quality elements are
detected the mesher will retry using a finer
mesh.
Mesh Morphing: when enabled allows updated geometry to use a
morphed mesh rather than remeshing (saves time). Topology must
remain the same and large geometry changes cannot be morphed.

Element A Element B

Kept Dropped
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 B. Local Meshing Controls
Local Mesh Controls can be applied to either a Geometry Selection or a Named
Selection. These are available only when the mesh branch is highlighted.
Available controls include :
• Method Control
• Sizing Control
• Contact Sizing Control
• Refinement Control
• Mapped Face Meshing
• Match Control
• Pinch Control
• Inflation Control

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 … Local Meshing Controls
Method Control : Provides the user with options as to how
bodies are meshed:
Automatic (default):
• Body will be swept if possible. Otherwise, the “Patch
Conforming” mesher under “Tetrahedrons” is used.

Continued . . .

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 Meshing Methods
• Meshing Methods available for 3D bodies
– Automatic
– Tetrahedrons
• Patch Conforming
• Patch Independent
– MultiZone
• Mainly hexahedral elements
– Hex dominant
– Sweep
– CutCell

• Meshing Methods available for 2D bodies

– Automatic Method (Quad Dominant)
– Triangles
Triangle (Tri) Quadrilateral (Quad)
– Uniform Quad/Tri
– Uniform Quad

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 … Local Meshing Controls
Tetrahedrons Method:
• All Tetrahedra mesh is generated (not usually requested for
mechanical applications).
• Can use Patch Conforming or Patch Independent Meshing
algorithms.
Patch Conforming

Underlying Geometry

Patch Independent

ANSYS License Availability

DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
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 … Local Meshing Controls
Hex Dominant Method : Creates a free hex dominant
mesh:
 Recommended for meshing bodies with large interior
volumes.
 Not recommended for thin or highly complex shapes.
 Useful for meshing bodies that cannot be swept.

Solid Model with Hex dominant

mesh (approximate percentages):
Tetrahedrons – 443 (9.8%)
Hexahedron – 2801(62.5%)
ANSYS License Availability Wedge – 124 (2.7%)
DesignSpace
Professional x Pyramid – 1107 (24.7%)
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls

Professional x
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
Sweep Method (hex and possibly wedge shapes):
• Source/Target Selection: Manually select the start/end faces for sweeping or
allow the mesher to choose.
• Can include size controls and/or biasing along sweep.

Source

Note: the geometry shown here has 6

different possible sweep directions.
Target

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
MultiZone Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
• Based on blocking approach used in ANSYS ICEM CFD
Hexa
• Automatically decomposes geometry
• Uses structured and unstructured blocks
• Can have multiple source and target faces
• Depends on settings of Free Mesh Type
• Structured blocks are meshed with Hexa or Hexa/Prism
• If Free Mesh Type is set to other than Not Allowed then
unstructured blocks are meshed with Tetra, Hexa
Dominant or Hex Core based on the selected method
MultiZone Mesh
Program Controlled inflation
Access
• RMB on Mesh
• Insert  Method
• Definition  Method  MultiZone

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
MultiZone Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x

• Control:
– Src/Trg Selection - Automatic

Geometry for MultiZone Details View of MultiZone Mesh

Meshing MultiZone Method

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
MultiZone Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x

• Control:
– Src/Trg Selection - Manual

Geometry for MultiZone Cut section of MultiZone

Meshing Details View of
Mesh
MultiZone Method

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
MultiZone Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x

• Control:
– Free (unstructured) Mesh Type
Type: Tetra

Type: Hexa Dominant

Geometry

Type: Hexa Core

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
MultiZone Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
• Control:
– Local Defeaturing Tolerance

Sliver face in
the mesh

No Defeaturing

Small face
Geometry with a ignored in the
sliver face mesh

Using Defeaturing

– Can be also controlled with global defeaturing

tolerance
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 … Local Meshing Controls
Surface Body Methods:
• Quadrilateral Dominant (default): attempts to
mesh with as many quad elements as possible, fills
in with triangles.

• Triangles: all triangular shapes are used.

• MultiZone Quad/Tri: Depending on settings, quad

or tri shapes are created using a patch independent
algorithm.

Note, each method contains a unique set of options

in the details allowing additional configuration.
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x
Sizing (3 configurations):
• Element Size (element edge length) OR Number of Divisions.
• Sphere of Influence (see next page)
– “Soft” control may be overridden by other mesh controls.
“Hard” may not.

Entity Element Size # of Elem. Division Sphere of Influence

Bodies x x
Faces x x
Edges x x x
Vertices x
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DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x
Sphere of Influence:
• Center is located using a coordinate system.
• All scoped entities within the sphere are affected by size
settings.

Only the portion of the scoped face or body within the

sphere is included in the scope of the mesh control.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Contact Sizing: generates similar-sized elements on contact

faces for face/face or face/edge contact regions.
• “Element Size” or “Relevance” can be specified.
– Can drag and drop a Contact Region object onto the “Mesh”
branch as a shortcut.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Element Refinement:
• An initial mesh is created using the global and local size settings, then elements are
divided at the scoped locations (up to 3 times).

For example shown the scoped face

has a refinement level of two.

Note: the refinement method generally offers less control or predictability over the final mesh
since an initial mesh is split. This splitting process may adversely affect other meshing controls
as well.
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Mapped Face Meshing: generates structured meshes on

surfaces:

Mapped quad or tri mesh also available for surface bodies.

See next slide for advanced options . . . .

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x
For some geometry mapping will fail if an obvious pattern is not recognized.
By specifying side, corner or end vertices a mapped face can be achieved.
See next page for additional examples.

Original mapping failed By setting side and end vertices

as indicated next to the the mapped mesh succeeds
mesh control. resulting in a uniform sweep.
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
… Local Meshing Controls Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
• ‘Side’, ‘Corner’ and ‘End’ controls for vertices, to define strategy for
Mapping

Vertex Type Intersecting Grid Lines Angle Between Edges

End 0 0° — 135°
Side 1 136° — 224°
Corner 2 225° — 314°

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace
Professional x
… Local Mesh Controls Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
Inflation Control: useful for adding layers of elements along specific boundaries.

Note: Inflation is more often used in CFD and EMAG applications but may
be useful for capturing stress concentrations etc. in structural
applications.
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

… Local Meshing Controls Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x
Pinch: allows the removal of small features by “pinching” out
small edges and vertices.
• Master: geometry that retains the original geometry profile.
• Slave: geometry that changes to move toward the master.
• Can be automatic (mesh branch details) or local (add Pinch
branch).

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
C. Meshing Troubleshooting Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
Mesh Metric (requested in the “statistics” section):
• Select individual bars in the graph to view the elements graphically.

Note: each mesh metric is

described in detail in the
“Meshing User’s Guide”.
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Meshing Troubleshooting Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

If the mesher is not able to generate a mesh an error message will be returned:
• Double click the message field in the status bar to open the messages window.
• Double click individual messages to show the error in a separate window.

When possible Mechanical can

graphically display the
problem regions (RMB in the
message window). Using a
wireframe view will make
finding these areas easier.

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 . . . Meshing Troubleshooting
The mesher also provides visual cues to identify obsolete and/or
failed meshes. As shown in the figures below, failed meshes are
shaded in maroon and obsolete meshes are colored yellow.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

D. Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Virtual topology is a feature that can aid you in reducing the number of elements
in the model, simplifying small features out of the model, and simplifying load
abstraction. “Virtual Topology” branch is added below the “Model” .

• For meshing certain CAD models you may want to group faces and/or edges together
allowing you to form virtual cells in order to reduce or improve the elements.
• You can split a face to create two virtual faces, or split an edge to create two virtual
edges for improved meshing.
• Virtual Cells can be created automatically.

Several Examples Follow . . .

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

This example shows 3 surfaces

selected and combined into a
virtual cell.

Here 3 edges are selected to

form a virtual edge.

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 . . . Virtual Topology
In this example one edge of this multibody
part has a size control assigned which
causes irregularities in the overall mesh.

Virtual Split Edges

Initial Mesh

Size Control

Shown in the upper right, 3 edges are

“virtually” split to accommodate improved
elements shapes. Final Mesh

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Surface Model Example:

Virtual
Cell

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

“Virtual Topology” branch is added below the “Model”

branch:
• Individual virtual entities do not appear in the tree.
Instead, a statistics section in the details lists virtual
entities.
• An automatic virtual topology function will attempt to
create virtual cells based on the details settings.

• Automatic Virtual Topology:

– Low, Medium, High: Indicates how aggressively
virtual topology will be searched for.
– Edges Only: Searches for adjacent edges to be
combined.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Virtual Cells can be created manually:

• Select the entities (faces shown here) to be included in the virtual cell.
• Choose “Merge Cells” in the context menu (or RMB > Insert > Virtual Cell).

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
. . . Virtual Topology Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
In some instances it may be desirable to split a face to allow a specific meshing
operation.
• With the Virtual Topology branch
highlighted, select 2 vertices as the desired
split point.
• Choose “Split Face at Vertices to complete
the operation.
• Vertex selection may be comprised of
existing vertices or virtual hard vertices
can be created (see following slides).

• Note, selected vertices must both be

associated with the face to be split.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
. . . Virtual Topology Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
Virtual split faces can be accomplished by creating virtual split edges (note the split
faces utilize the vertices generated when the edges are split).

• “Virtual Split Edge at +”: splits at

the selection point along the
edge.

• “Virtual Split Edge”: requires a

fractional entry indicating the
position along the edge where
the split will be located (e.g. 0.5
results in the line split in half).

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
. . . Virtual Topology Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
A “Virtual Hard Vertex” feature allows the creation of hard points which can be
used to split faces where no “natural” vertex exists.

• With the Virtual Topology branch highlighted

select the face where the hard vertex is to be
located.

• Note, a + sign will appear at the cursor

location.

• Choose “Hard Vertex at +” (or RMB > Insert

> Virtual Hard Vertex at +).

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x

Virtual entities can be reviewed, edited or deleted

from the context toolbar (highlight Virtual Topology
branch):
• Use the arrow keys to cycle through next/previous
virtual entities.

• The virtual entity is highlighted graphically and the

status bar (bottom of graphics window) indicates the
current selection.

• The Edit icon allows access to an editor window

where modifications to the virtual entity definition
can be made.

• Use “Delete” to remove unwanted virtual entities.

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x

. . . Virtual Topology Professional

Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
x
Keep in mind that the topology can change!
• Example: a chamfer is added to the top surface in this virtual cell. The interior lines are
not recognized anymore.
Element’s edge is shown as a solid
Original mesh line and the original chamfer and top
surface is shown as a dotted line.
The chamfer representation is no
longer present.

Mesh using virtual

topology
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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
E. Direct Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
Local meshing
Bodies can be deleted/meshed/remeshed individually
Subsequent bodies will use the attached face mesh
The meshing results will depend on the meshing order
RMB on the body(ies) and generate the mesh locally
Automated Meshing first Meshing first
meshing the pipe then the block
the block then the pipe

Hexas Hexas Wedges

Meshed with default meshing settings

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 ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace x
Professional x
…Direct Meshing Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
x
x
Local remeshing
Once a multibody part is meshed we can decide later on
to put more controls on a set of bodies, such us:
• Local sizings, inflation, BOI, etc
Put the controls, RMB on the select the body(ies), clean
the mesh. and remesh locally

Geometry with a
BOI inside

Without BOI With BOI

BOI

Only the affected body is

remeshed. The mesh on the
adjacent bodies remains
unchanged

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 F.MODEL ASSEMBLY

Geometry is not only the

starting point of a
Workbench based
structural simulation.
Multiple finite element
models can be assembled
and leverage all
Mechanical
functionalities, including
contact detection.

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 …MODEL ASSEMBLY

You can import mesh

data (solids and shells)
from CDB* file into
Workbench using the
External Model system
and also scale, rotate or
translate parts.
Contact detection will
happen as if you are
working with geometry
data.
* .cdb is a file of model and database
information which contains
model data in terms of ANSYS
input commands
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 …MODEL ASSEMBLY

Multiple WB systems can also be

combined. Geometry, Mesh and
Named Selections are retrieved.
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 G. Workshop 4.1 – Mesh Control
• Workshop 4.1 – Mesh Control
• Goal:
– Use the various mesh controls to enhance
the mesh for the solenoid model.

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 H. Mesh Quality Criteria

You can check mesh quality using Mesh

Metrics

Remember : specific criterias for each

physic

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Element Quality :

This metric is based on the ratio of the volume to the edge length for a given
element

0 1
Bad Perfect

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Aspect Ratio : Lengthening of element

1 5-10 20 ∞
Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Jacobian Ratio :

1 10 30 ∞
Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Warping Ratio :

0 0.1 1 ∞ 0 0.2 0.4 ∞

Perfect Bad Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Parallel Deviation :

0 170
Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Maximum Corner Deviation :

60 165 90 180
Perfect Bad Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Skewness

 max
 min

0 0.75 1
Perfect Bad

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 …Mesh Quality Criteria

Orthogonal Quality :

0 1
Bad Perfect

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