The introduction of engineering work stations has made it possible for an analyst to describe a two-dimensional finite element model and view its response in a real-time, interactive graphical environment. This interactive environment puts severe performance restrictions on finite element programs. The programs must be able to respond to an analyst's request in a reasonable amount of time. The traditional finite element data structures cannot provide the required performance. This paper introduces a new application of an existing data structure, the winged-edge, which can provide the required performance. The winged-edge data structure is described, with particular emphasis given to its use for finite element analysis. The implementation of the data structure in a fracture analysis program is discussed and a number of examples of its use are presented.
[1]
R. Shaw,et al.
Modification to the Suhara‐Fukuda method of network generation
,
1978
.
[2]
Paul A. Wawrzynek,et al.
Interactive finite element analysis of fracture processes: An integrated approach
,
1987
.
[3]
Mantyla,et al.
GWB: A Solid Modeler with Euler Operators
,
1982,
IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.
[4]
Bruce G. Baumgart.
A polyhedron representation for computer vision
,
1975,
AFIPS '75.
[5]
Kevin Weiler,et al.
Edge-Based Data Structures for Solid Modeling in Curved-Surface Environments
,
1985,
IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.
[6]
R. Barsoum.
On the use of isoparametric finite elements in linear fracture mechanics
,
1976
.