Abstract

Recent developments inmesh and point generation are reviewed. These include: minimal linput meshing, fast meshing for very large problems, volume-to-surface meshing and the generation of cluouds of arbitrary objects. Several examples are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed techniques

Abstract

Double curvature arch dams feature geometrical complexity with a significant amount of parameters involved. Different criteria exist to assist in the design task, from simplified geometrical approaches to optimization procedures. However, most of them present a lack of flexibility and are not integrated in computer-aided design tools. In this contribution, an interactive and flexible software tool is presented to support the complete design process: geometrical definition, FEM model generation (including the mesh, the loads and the boundary conditions) and thermo-mechanical analysis. The design can be performed with different levels of detail to adapt to the information available in each stage of the project. The tool allows defining the shape of the reference cylinder, the excavation depth and slope along the foundation, the crown cantilever thickness and curvature, the shape and location of horizontal arcs; all these steps were described in former contributions. Here, special attention is paid to the introduction of additional features such as joints, spillways, abutments of varying shape and outlet works. All steps have been defined with a high degree of flexibility in the design process. The tool is integrated with the pre and post process software GiD, which allows taking advantage of its functionalities, such as mesh generation and results analysis. It is also coupled with a specific application for thermo-mechanical analysis of dams, developed in Kratos Multiphysics – a framework for building parallel multi-disciplinary simulation software. The whole design process can be followed in a unique environment, because the structural response of preliminary designs can be computed and the results considered to refine the dam geometry.

Abstract

This study thoroughly explains the process of implementing Adaptive Mesh Refinement into a Finite Element Analysis program. Using the error norm, a routine for improving an original mesh for an arbitrary 2D structural problem has been developed. By utilizing user-defined relative global error, an optimal mesh for a given level of approximation can be obtained in an iterative manner. The routine (called AMG v1.0) runs with the pre-/postprocessor GiD and the calculation module Calsef, but can easily be tailored to work with other FEA programs. AMG operates with two mesh optimality criteria, which have proven to refine the mesh in a non-oscillatory manner. The open structure, along with the Graphical User Interface, makes AMG suitable for educational and experimental purposes. For validation, six examples within the field of structural engineering have been solved, four of which have been compared favorably with analytical solutions.

The mesh optimality routines used are general, why AMG can be extended to handle more types of elements, 3D analysis, and to be applicable to other types of engineering problems. Above all AMG serves as a first step of implementing Adaptive Mesh Refinement procedures into GiD.