Meshing
Objectives
a. Minimze computing time
b. Enhanced accuracy of solution
Global Mesh Controls
o Relevance
o Relevance Centre
o Element Size
Local Mesh Controls
o Sizing
Convergence problems
Quality of Mesh
Global and local mesh controls are settings used to control the size, shape, and
distribution of mesh elements over a model.
Global Mesh Controls
These apply uniformly across the entire model.
Definition: Settings that define the default meshing behavior throughout the entire
geometry.
Purpose: Provide a quick and easy way to mesh the whole model when uniform
refinement is acceptable.
Examples:
o Element size (e.g., 10 mm for the entire model)
o Element type (e.g., tetrahedral or hexahedral)
o Relevance center (Coarse, Medium, Fine)
In ANSYS: Found under the "Mesh" object → Details panel → Global Size
Controls like:
o Sizing
o Advanced Size Function
o Relevance
GLOBAL MESH CONTROLS
These apply to the entire model and are set from the Mesh object in the Outline tree.
1. ✅ Common Global Mesh Controls in ANSYS Workbench:
2. Relevance Center
o Controls overall mesh density: Coarse, Medium, or Fine.
o Automatically adjusts sizing and growth rate.
3. Sizing → Element Size
o Default element size across the entire geometry.
4. Advanced Size Function
o Options: Proximity, Curvature, Proximity and Curvature, or Off.
o Helps in refining mesh in regions with small gaps or curvature changes.
5. Defeature Size
o Specifies the size below which small features are ignored to reduce mesh
complexity.
6. Transition (Growth) Rate
o Controls how quickly element size increases from fine to coarse regions.
7. Minimum Size
o Smallest allowable element size in the mesh.
8. Element Order
o Choose between Linear (1st order) and Quadratic (2nd order)
elements.
9. Automatic Method
o Lets ANSYS decide the best meshing method for the whole model (e.g.,
tetrahedral vs. hexahedral).
Local Mesh Controls
These are applied to specific parts of the model where more refinement is
needed.
Definition: Overrides global settings in targeted regions like edges, faces,
bodies, or volumes.
Purpose: Increase mesh resolution where high accuracy is needed (e.g., stress
concentration areas), and reduce it where it's not.
Examples:
o Edge sizing (e.g., smaller elements along a fillet or notch)
o Face sizing
o Body sizing
o Sphere of influence
o Inflation layers (e.g., near walls in fluid simulations)
Local Mesh Purpose / Use
Control
Sizing Apply specific element size to edges, faces, or
bodies.
Edge Sizing Refines mesh along an edge (e.g., fillet, crack tip).
Face Sizing Controls mesh density on a face.
Body Sizing Controls mesh density inside a 3D body.
Sphere of Refines mesh within a defined sphere around a
Influence point/vertex.
Inflation Adds layered mesh near walls—important in CFD or
boundary layer problems.
Mapped Face Forces structured mesh (like rectangles) on a face—
Meshing requires compatible geometry.
Method Selects element type or meshing technique
(Tetrahedrons, Sweep, Hex, etc.)
Face Meshing Defines how a face is meshed, often paired with
mapped mesh.
Contact Sizing Mesh refinement along contact regions in
assemblies.
Resolution:
In meshing, resolution generally refers to the level of detail or fineness of the mesh,
especially in capturing the geometry, features, and solution gradients of the model.
Method:
Hex Dominant
Sweep Method
Mesh with Patch Conforming VS Patch Independent Method:
Multizone:
Key Concepts Explained:
✅ Preferred Methods for Hex Meshing
Hex meshing is preferred in explicit dynamics because it:
Offers better accuracy in capturing stress wave propagation
Reduces numerical diffusion compared to tetrahedral meshes
📌 Key Steps and Tools:
1. Slice geometry in CAD / SpaceClaim / DesignModeler
Slicing or dividing the geometry simplifies meshing, especially when using
methods like Sweep or Multizone.
DesignModeler and SpaceClaim provide tools like “Split Body” (as shown in
the screenshot) to divide complex parts into smaller hex-meshable regions.
➕ Share Topology:
This ensures bodies share nodes at interfaces, avoiding unnecessary contact
definitions and improving simulation performance and accuracy.
2. Mesh Method > Sweep
This method is useful when the geometry can be logically divided into a source
and target face.
A swept mesh is created by projecting elements along a defined path—ideal for
parts like pipes, blocks, or straight extrusions.
✓ marked in the slide = recommended method
3. Mesh Method > Multizone
Suitable for complex geometries where a pure sweep mesh is not possible.
It tries to create hex elements where possible and fills remaining zones with hex-
dominant or other structured elements.
Also ✓ marked in the slide = recommended method
🚫 What to Avoid:
The image with a red circle and slash over a tetrahedral mesh shows an
unstructured tetra mesh, which is not ideal for explicit dynamics due to:
o Less accuracy
o Poor wave propagation
o Increased element coun
