Generating a Mesh of 3D Finite Elements

This section outlines the steps for generating the volume mesh in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ using parts-based mesh operations. If you imported a CAE model volume mesh, and you wish to remesh it in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you can use the same procedure.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ solid stress simulations require a mesh of 3D linear or quadratic elements. To generate the mesh in Simcenter STAR-CCM+:

Right-click the Geometry > Operations node and create one of the following mesh operations:
- Directed Mesh, to generate hexahedral elements.
  For information on the Directed Mesher, see Directed Meshing. A step-by-step example is also provided in the Solid Stress > Linear Stress Analysis: Cantilever I Beam section of the Tutorial Guide.
- Automated Mesh, to generate tetrahedral or wedge elements.
  For this operation, you can either select the Tetrahedral Mesher to generate tetrahedral elements, or the Tetrahedral Mesher with the Thin Mesher. The latter combination generates wedge elements in regular thin geometries, such as a thin plate, or a mix of different elements in more complex geometries. In addition to tetrahedra and wedges, occasional pyramids can be generated as transition elements. The Thin Mesher does not preserve edges from part curves. When using the Thin Mesher, you can not define loads or constraints on curves.
Set up the mesh controls based on your geometry requirements, and make sure that you use an appropriate mesh resolution in areas where you expect stress concentrations. For general guidelines, refer to the section, Mesh Requirements and Guidelines.
If the input parts for the mesh operations contain part curves and points, make sure that the Solid Stress model is active in the relevant physics continuum.

Note If you do not activate the Solid Stress model before executing the mesh operations, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ will not transfer part curves and part points to the mesh representation.
Execute the mesh operation.

By default, the mesh operations generate linear elements. To generate quadratic elements, add the mid-side nodes as interpolates of the corner nodes:

Select the Regions > [Solid Region] > Physics Conditions > Mid-side Vertex Option node.
Set Mid-Side Vertex to Add -- Linear Interpolation.
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ adds the mid-side nodes during initialization of the solution.

You can visualize the mesh element topology in a scalar scene using the Element Type field function, which identifies each element topology with a unique number.

Create a scalar scene with the following settings:


Node	Property	Setting
Scenes > Scalar 1	Display Mesh	Activated
Parts	Parts	Regions > [Solid Region Boundaries]
Field Function	Function	Element Type

The Element Type field function values for each element topology are listed in the section, Element Type Reference.

The following example shows a tetrahedral mesh with mid-side nodes (Tet10). For Tet10 elements, the Element Type value is 24.