The effect of mesh density and element type on the analysis of 3D objects

Abstract

This paper focuses on the usage of mesh density and element type in the analysis of 3D objects, which are crucial components of 3D object Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The document is based on theoretical principles and will be supported by practical numerical examples using the FEM software Abaqus. In order to conduct an accurate FEM analysis, it is vital to employ an appropriate mesh that is easily convertible for calculations and free from imperfections. The suitability of the mesh depends on two key parameters: density, which is determined by the material being used, and element type, such as tetrahedrons, hexahedrons, polyhedrons, and others. Different types of elements and mesh densities in FEM software often involve multiple settings that primarily impact the accuracy of the model, as well as the calculation time and convergence quality. This article is divided into three sections: the first part focuses on the theoretical foundations, the second part presents a practical example, and the third part offers conclusions and comparisons.