Mesh Gradation

You can choose from 2 different Mesh Gradation to define the element distribution in the Mesh Settings dialog:

• Graded
• Uniform

Graded Mesh

A graded mesh determines the element density in each region of the model based on the complexity of the geometry. More complex geometry with more angles and cuts will have a higher density of elements to better capture the topographical features. The mesh density grades away from the complex regions.

Under the Advanced Setting:

Min. Element Size (m):
Choose range of values from -1 to user-defined value.

if -1: the program automatically chooses the minimum element size in meters.

otherwise, the minimum element size can be defined by the user.

Max. Element Size (m):

Choose range of values from -1 to user-defined value.

if -1: the program automatically chooses the maximum element size in meters.

otherwise, the maximum element size can be defined by the user. It should be greater than the minimum element size in meters.

1D Gradation:

Gradation of the element sizes along the edges on the surface. This parameter controls the gradation of the element sizes along the edges towards the maximum mesh element size. A value close to 0 leads to a more progressive variation (smoother) of the mesh element sizes along the edges.

2D Gradation:

Gradation of the element sizes inside the flat patches of surfaces. This parameter controls the gradation of the element sizes inside the patches towards the maximum mesh element size. A value close to 0 leads to a more progressive variation (smoother) of the mesh sizes inside flat patches of surfaces.

3D Gradation:

This parameter controls the gradation of the tetrahedral elements size from the size of surface elements to the available space enclosed in a solid (volume). More precisely, it is an upper bound for the h-shocks in the
tetrahedral mesh. A value close to 0 leads to a more progressive variation of mesh size (smoother).

Uniform Mesh

A uniform mesh uses a defined element size for all regions of the model and is useful if no preference is desired for the element density in any particular region of the model. You can define the Mesh Density using Low, Medium, High and User Defined settings. The Element Size is the approximate side length for each element and decreases when changing from Low to High. You can also define an element size using the User Defined setting. An approximate total number of element is displayed below as #Elements.