Customize and Visualize the Mesh

Customize the mesh that you created when you defined the fluid domain, and inspect its quality.

A mesh is an alternative representation of a 1D, 2D, or 3D geometry. The app provides default mesh values based on the dimensions of the fluid domain's geometry. The default mesh's element size aims to balance the desired accuracy of the results against the time it takes to run the simulation. If desired, you can change both the size and type of the elements within the mesh. Typically, a smaller element size yields more accurate results but increases the run time. After you mesh the fluid domain, you can use visualization tools to inspect the quality of your mesh. Based on your inspection, you can change the mesh specifications to update the existing mesh or to create multiple meshes for use with the simulation.

In this example, you choose mesh parameters that provide accuracy within a reasonable time. Then, you use a visualization tool to inspect the cross-section of the mesh for quality near the boundary layer.

This task shows you how to:

Customize the Mesh

  1. From the tree, expand the Nodes and Elements node, then double-click Hex Mesh.1.
  2. Enter 6mm as the Maximum size, and enter 1mm as the Minimum size.
  3. Enter 30deg as the Minimum angle between faces.
  4. Select Add boundary layers to specify the distribution of elements at the surface of the fluid domain.
  5. Enter 0.2mm as the First layer thickness, and enter 6 as the Number of layers.
  6. Expand the Options section, clear all selections, and select Optimize surface treatment.
  7. Click Mesh to start the meshing process.

    Note: Clicking Mesh starts the meshing process immediately; clicking OK saves the dialog box settings and closes the dialog box without meshing.

    The PLM Update... window appears and displays the meshing progress. This window closes automatically when the app completes the meshing process.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Save your work.

Visualize the Mesh

  1. Display a clear view of the mesh.
    1. From the Display section of the action bar, click Visualization Management .
    2. From the Shape options, select Hide .

      The app hides the duct part.

    3. From the FE Model options, select Show .

      The app reveals the fluid domain mesh.

    4. Click Close.



      Tip: The icons in the tree serve as indicators which features are shown or hidden. Icons that are masked by a gray square represent features that are hidden in the 3D area.

  2. Display a cross-section of the mesh.
    1. From the Display section of the Assistant, click Sectioning .
    2. From the Plane options, select X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis to specify the cutting plane.

      The cutting plane is the plane normal to the selected axis.

    3. If desired, click Reverse to display the mesh on the other side of the cutting plane.
    4. Clear Exact mesh cut to show whole elements on the cutting plane.
      The cutting plane appears jagged because this option preserves full-sized elements at the location of the plane as opposed to displaying a true cross-section of the mesh.
  3. Inspect the density of the mesh in critical areas of the model.

    Tip: You can move the cutting plane in the direction of the selected axis by dragging the cutting section with your pointer.

    For example, you can verify the number of boundary layer elements that you specified when creating the mesh. Based on your inspection, you could refine or coarsen the mesh to improve the results or performance, respectively. Your mesh should appear fine at the surface and gradually coarsen toward the center.



  4. Close the Sectioning dialog box.