AUTOMESH-2D: A FULLY AUTOMATIC ADAPTIVE QUADRILATERAL MESH GENERATOR

Finite element method(FEM) has been widely used to analyze all kinds of complex engineering
problems, such as structural analysis, material deformation analysis and so on. To analyze these
problems with FEM, the objects to be analyzed must be meshed firstly. For the large
deformation process, for example, metal forming, there are usually several times of remeshing
because of the distorted mesh. The process of mesh generation is very time consuming and
error prone. The mesh quality has great influence on the FEM analysis result. An efficient,
reliable, fully automatic mesh (re)generator with high quality is a necessary part of FEM
software.

AUTOMESH-2D was developed based on reliable mesh generation algorithm. AUTOMESH-2D is
especially suitable for the mesh generation and regeneration of material forming analysis, but it
also can be used to generate mesh for other engineering analysis. It has a user-friendly graphic
interface. The geometry can be constructed and the mesh can be displayed after mesh
generation. We can supply executive program to ordinary user or dynamic link library to FE
software developer according to his requirement. Source code can also be supplied.

AUTOMESH-2D has following advantages:

(1) The optimal mesh density can be generated automatically by the system according to the
boundary curvature, thickness element number, the field variable gradient distribution of
temperature, strain and strain rate, and density window. It also allow user to designate mesh
density on the boundary and inside.

(2) High mesh quality. The internal angle of the elements usually lies between 30 and 150
degree. The shape of boundary elements is usually close to square.

(3) The total element number can be easily controlled. The difference of actual and desired
element number is usually below 10%.

(4) Fast mesh generation. It usually takes less than 1 second for generating 1000 elements, less
than 10 seconds for 10,000 elements and less than 2 minutes for 100,000 elements.

(5) Simple and convenient usage. Only a few parameter need to be given including the
geometry, desired element number and mesh density.

(6) It is suitable for both initial mesh generation and mesh regeneration due to distortion.

If you are interested in AUTOMESH-2D or you have any requirement, please contact Prof. Guoqun
Zhao (zhaogq@sdu.edu.cn) or Dr. Xinwu Ma (maxinwu@sdu.edu.cn).