Workshop 4.

1 Meshing Control
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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

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Goals
Use the various ANSYS Mechanical mesh controls to enhance the mesh for the model below.
Problem statement:

The model consists of a CAD file representing a solenoid. Our goal is to mesh the model using all defaults and inspect the result. Next we will add
mesh controls to modify the mesh in various regions of the model.

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Assumptions
Since this is a meshing exercise we will not be applying loads or solving the model. Instead we will assume a linear static structural analysis is to follow the meshing operation.

Note, due to a certain randomness in the nature of meshing, the actual number of elements generated during the workshop may vary from machine to machine. This is normal.

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Units
Open the Project page.
From the Units menu verify:

Project units are set to US Customary (lbm, in, s, F, A, lbf, V). Display Values in Project Units is checked (on).

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Project Schematic
1. In the Toolbox, double click Static Structural to create a new analysis system.
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2.

2. RMB on the Geometry cell and Import Geometry. Browse to Solenoid_Body.stp.

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3. Double click the Model cell to start the Mechanical application.

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Basic Meshing
Start by meshing the model using all defaults. This will establish a base line from which we can compare changes.

4. Highlight the mesh branch, RMB > Generate Mesh.

4.

When mesh generation completes we can view the mesh and inspect the statistics in the details for the mesh branch. Note: node/element count may vary slightly across machines/platforms.

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Basic Meshing
5. View the mesh metrics:
a. Highlight the mesh branch. b. In the details under Statistics > Mesh Metric specify Element Quality.

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Mesh Size Control

Based on our inspection we may decide a more refined mesh is necessary for our analysis.
6. In the mesh branch details expand the sizing section and set the Relevance Center to Medium. RMB the mesh branch and Generate Mesh.

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7.

The finer mesh is visually obvious. The details show an increase in the number of elements as expected.

6.

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Mesh Shape Control

A closer look at the mesh shows some anomalies where certain faces meet.
By zooming to the area in question we can see several small sliver surfaces are forcing a fine mesh locally. Well attempt to clean this up using virtual topology.

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Virtual Topology
8. Insert the virtual topology branch (highlight the Model branch):

a. RMB > Insert > Virtual Topology.

a.

Since it appears that the sliver area is closer to being tangent to the sides, we will combine these into virtual cells.
Sliver Side

In order to preserve the basic topology we will join pairs of surfaces into virtual cells rather than trying to combine all surfaces together. The result will be 3 cells per side, 6 in total.
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. . . Virtual Topology
9. Create Virtual Cells:
b. a.

a. Select one of the sliver surfaces. b. Hold the CTRL key and select the
adjacent surface (as shown at right). c. RMB > Insert > Virtual Cell.
c.

The resulting virtual cell is displayed in red. Although underlying surfaces still exist, this is the surface the mesher will use.

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. . . Virtual Topology
Continue by creating the remaining 5 virtual cells (select in pairs as before). When complete you will have a total of 6 virtual faces and 4 virtual edges.

10. Remesh the model (highlight the mesh branch):

a. RMB > Generate Mesh.

The resulting mesh shows a much more uniform mesh with a significant reduction in element count.

a.

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Mapped Face Meshing

11. Map mesh several faces (highlight Mesh branch):

a. Select the 3 planar faces shown here. b. RMB > Insert > Mapped Face Meshing. c. RMB > Generate Mesh.
a.

As shown map meshing results is elements on the selected faces which share very regular shapes.
c.

b.

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Face Size Control

12. Specify face sizing on selected face:

a. Select the face of the gusset section shown

b. c. d.

here. RMB > Insert > Sizing. Set Element Size = 0.03. Set Behavior = Hard.
RMB > Generate Mesh.

a.

b.

13. Remesh the model (highlight the mesh branch):

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c. d.
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Edge Size Control

14. Specify edge sizing on selected edges:

a. b. c. d. e.

Select the 4 edges of the gusset shown here. RMB > Insert > Sizing. Change Type to Number of Divisions. Set Number of Divisions = 25. Set Behavior = Hard.

a.

15. Remesh the model (highlight the mesh branch): RMB > Generate Mesh.

b.

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c. d.

e.
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Edge Size Control

Review the mesh metric as compared to the original mesh. With just a few refinements overall mesh quality has improved.
Original Mesh Metric

Final Mesh Metric

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