Previewing the FE mesh

For complex structures it may be useful to review the FE mesh before the results are scrutinised in detail.

It is possible to control the display style of the mesh through a set of view parameters.

Tab Structure > Group Mesh

Draw mesh

If ON, the mesh is displayed on the screen.

 

Free edges

Free edge is an edge of a 2D element that is not connected to any other element.

It may be useful to see which parts of the structure are not connected to the rest of the model.

If this option is ON, the free (unconnected) edges of 2D finite elements are highlighted using a thick line.

This option is independent on the option above.

 

Display mode

The user may decide about the drawing style for the mesh (wired, rendered, transparent).

Note: Rendered and transparent option may affect the adjustment of colours for symbols relating to the mesh (e.g. local axes).

Tab Structure > Group Local axes

Nodes

If ON, the program displays local axes of the nodes in the generated finite element mesh.

 

Mesh elements

If ON, the program displays local axes of the generated finite elements.

Tab Labels > Group Mesh

Display label

If ON, the selected labels are displayed together with the mesh.

Note: If parameter Draw mesh from tab Structure - group Mesh is OFF, no labels are displayed.

 

Nodes

If ON, the numbers of nodes are displayed.

 

Elements 1D

If ON, the numbers of 1D finite elements are displayed.

 

Elements 2D

If ON, the numbers of 2D finite elements are displayed.

Tab Labels > Group Labels of local axes

Nodes

If ON, the labels (x, y, z) of node local axes are displayed.

 

Mesh

If ON, the labels (x, y, z) of finite element local axes are displayed.
The procedure for the preview of finite element mesh

  1. Open View parameters setting dialogue.

  2. Select Tab Structure or Labels.

  3. In the required group adjust the required parameters.

  4. Confirm the settings.

  5. Check the mesh.

  6. If required, switch the mesh off again.

Note: When the mesh generator has created mesh elements with an angle smaller than 5° an arrow is shown on the screen so the user can easily find such elements (elements with the angle smaller than 5° can sometimes lead to inaccurate results) Mesh refinement function is then recommended to generate a better mesh..