Component Meshing Methodology

Sammanfattning: In order to achieve results that are reliable when using the finite element method one has to use an acceptable element mesh with respect to the shape and size of the elements. As a help to produce an acceptable mesh there are quality criteria that must be fulfilled in most pre-processors. One objective with this thesis is to perform a sensitivity study that can be used as a basis for a Mesh guideline for chassis parts which is requested from engineers at Volvo 3P. The software used in the sensitivity study is ANSA as pre-processor, Nastran as solver and Metapost as post-processor. In the first part of the sensitivity study three different models are used for studying quality criteria such as aspect ratio, skewness, mid point alignment, mid point deviation and element size. Solid elements of second order, which are used in the three models, can be generated in two ways, which constitutes another part of the sensitivity study. They may either be generated from the beginning or can be converted from first order elements. This means geometrically that if second order elements where generated from the beginning the element mesh would follow the shape of the component in a better way compared to the other method. Recently a pre- and post-processing program called SimLab was introduced on the market. Since SimLab supports geometry import from several CAD-systems without loss of feature information, the automatic element mesh generation is supposed to be better as the mesh generator has access to more information concerning the geometry. An evaluation of SimLab is the second major objective of the thesis. More specifically, the evaluation concerns the possibility of using the software at Volvo 3P. Results show a surprising insensitivity regarding the criteria and that the method of generating second order elements from the beginning is to be preferred. SimLab is a new program with big potential and the conclusion is that it is possible to use it at Volvo 3P.