Automatic Finite Element Mesh Generation Over Domains Comprised of Military Connected, Intersecting, Rigid Body-Movable Subdomains

Abstract

Abstract A novel approach for the automatic generation and refinement of finite element meshes over nonconvex domains subdivided by multiply connected, rigid body-movable subdomains has been developed. The basis of this method relies on 1) the automatic insertion of nodes on the digitized boundaries and within the interiors of movable subdomains 2) the generation of superelement meshes, using the nodes which have been inserted on the subdomains, 3) determination of the points of intersection between adjacent subdomains following their rigid body movement, 3) ensuring the satisfaction of both interelement connectivity and compatability across subdomain boundaries which undergo rigid body movement along with the subdomains, and 4) the interactive refinement of userselectable subdomains using quadrilaterization for global refinement and triangularization for local refinement. The creation of a finite element mesh for an acetabular cup inserted in a human pelvis, which is representative of a mesh generated over complex, two-dimensional, multiply connected subdomains, as employed in an orthopedic total hip replacement, serves as a realistic application of this approach and demonstrates its utility for expeditiously performing finite element-based, parametric design optimization studies.