FEM MeshTransfiniteSurface

Description

The FEM MeshTransfiniteSurface command creates a structured mesh on a face.

Task panel of the MeshTransfiniteSurface tool

Usage

1. To enable the command a Mesh From Shape by Gmsh must be provided first.
2. Select the Mesh object in the Tree View.
3. There are several ways to invoke the command:
   • Press the Structured Transfinite Surface button.
   • Select the Mesh → GMSH Refinements → Structured Transfinite Surface option from the menu.
4. Optionally, use the Recombine checkbox to enable recombination of triangular elements into quadrilateral ones.
5. If recombination is not enabled, select the triangle orientation: Left, Right, AlternateRight, AlternateLeft
6. Optionally, use the Auto apply transfinite curves checkbox and specify the number of nodes, distribution (Constant, Bump, Bump Inverted, Progression or Progression Inverted) and the corresponding coefficient.
7. Press the Add button. Select a vertex or face. To remove objects from the selection, press the Remove button.
8. Click the OK button.
9. Close the task.

   Result: You now should see a new TransfiniteSurface object under the FEMMeshGmsh object in your active analysis container.

10. Double-click on the FEMMeshGmsh parent object in your Model Tree and press Apply to force a mesh recalculation.
11. Close the task.

After the mesh has been created you can change its properties using the Property View. After you changed a property, you must reopen the Gmsh dialog again and click the Apply button. (You can leave the dialog open while changing properties.)

You can create as many different transfinite surfaces as needed.

Illustration of the Left, Right, AlternateRight and AlternateLeft triangle orientations

Notes

• Using this tool with the Auto apply transfinite curves and Recombine checkboxes enabled is the easiest way to generate structured quadrilateral meshes using the transfinite Gmsh algorithm. All subfaces must have 3 or 4 edges, though.

Transfinite (structured) surface mesh