Automatic Model Simplification and Reconstruction from Geographic Information System Data for Computer-Aided Engineering

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes an automatic reconstruction methodology for the creation of 3D models suitable for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. The objective is to design and develop an automatic model reconstruction methodology to convert Geographic Information System (GIS) data to CAD data which can be used directly for finite element mesh generation. This will equip users with a reliable and effective tool for the rapid reconstruction of geometrical models which satisfy their computational requirements and simulation contraints. Specifically, the reconstruction algorithm will be able to automatically process building data in the ESRI shapefile format, suppress unnecessarily detailed features, resolve non-manifold topology, cluster buildings which are close together and export the 3D model into a universal exchange format suitable for the intended CFD application.