Current Directions in Meshing

This article highlights the preparation of finite element models for analysis that is being increasingly automated, with new developments expected to greatly advance the field. The key to an efficient finite-element analysis (FEA) is frequently an effective finite-element mesh. The construction of this mesh is the first step in the analysis process. Structured grids, as is implied by the name, have a clear structure. The techniques used to generate them produce quadrilateral or triangular cells, or elements, in two-dimensional analysis, and tetrahedral or hexahedral elements in three-dimensional simulations. An area of great potential is the automatic adaptation of the mesh, without intervention by the analyst, and automatic continued solution until the required accuracy has been reached. To effectively automate the choice of the mathematical model and its solution, major advances in theoretical issues and software development are still required and will provide an exciting challenge for the years to come.