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Representation and discretization of arbitrary surfaces for finite element shell analysis
Author(s) -
Wu ShengChuan,
Abel John F.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620140605
Subject(s) - computer science , finite element method , discretization , preprocessor , shell (structure) , computer graphics , spline (mechanical) , algorithm , graphics , visualization , mesh generation , representation (politics) , computer graphics (images) , computational science , theoretical computer science , mathematics , artificial intelligence , engineering , mathematical analysis , structural engineering , mechanical engineering , politics , law , political science
An interactive computer graphics system has been developed for generating the geometric description of an arbitrary shell surfface. The various difficulties facing the user of sophisticated, doubly‐curved shell finite elements and the inefficiency of preprocessing for shell analysis are discussed to explain the benefits of this system. The method is a synthesis of spline theory and algorithms, and an interactive means for man–machine communication. The basic technique employed is a modified lofting method in which cardinal splines. An inversion procedure is incorporated which increases significantly the efficiency of the B‐spline approximation process. Static and dynamic graphic displays greatly enhance visualization at any stage of the procedure. Two examples of practical interest are presented in some detail to demonstratge the flexibility and usefulness of this approach. Some natural extensions of this system for interactive mesh generation on the surface are also demonstrated.