Finite-element mesh control by integer programming

A novel technique is presented for the control of mapped quadrilateral and hexahedral meshes generated inside a collection of connected subregions. Target division numbers on the subregion edges are given as input. By allowing these numbers to vary, meshes can be found which satisfy both the subregion constraints imposed by the mesh patterns being employed, and the compatibility constraints on edges shared by two or more adjacent subregions. Among all such feasible solutions the optimal one is obtained by minimizing the changes to the division numbers, using an integer programming technique.