Selective refinement of a finite element mesh for improved accuracy

The feasibility of refining a finite element by dividing only selected elements is examined. A method is developed which selects these elements so as to maximize the strain energy of the refined mesh. Repeated application of the method results in the generation of a series of refined meshes. The method is completely automated and becomes an integral part of a finite element program. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated through the study of several example problems with concentrated loads. Extension of the method for use with meshes subjected to distributed loadings would require the development of additional criteria for selecting the elements to be refined.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering Mechanics

Department dc:contributor.department

Engineering Mechanics

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1975

Author dc:creator

• Killian Douglas Erle

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/114390

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/114390