Automatic FEM Procedure Using a Geometry-Oriented h Version for 3D Solid Structures

An automatic FEM procedure based on a geometry-oriented h version is presented for a general 3D solid structure combined with many parts of various forms. A simple and efficient method to create the geometry of a solid structure with many parts combined is described. Physical conditions for the structural analysis are given directly on the geometry. Then simply by giving the total number of elements, all input data including the element mesh and constraint equations to combine elements between parts required for a finite element structural analysis program are generated, and the initial analysis is made automatically. By giving only the allowable ratio of the finite element error, the adaptive mesh refinement is made and the detailed analysis is also carried out automatically. A practical PC program based on the present method has been developed. Numerical examples are demonstrated to show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.