2167x
002977
2019-04-23

FE mesh

Did I choose the right FE mesh size?


Answer:
Unfortunately, there is no general answer as to whether a structural system is discretized sufficiently. For the calculation with finite elements, the calculated deformations and stresses must not deviate from the analytical solution. The aim is to find the optimum number of FE elements where the stresses no longer change.

Therefore, you should choose the discretization as fine as necessary and as rough as possible. A general rule applies that there should always be at least 3 FE elements selected over the height for holes or openings in a structure.

The following FAQ explains how to deal with singularities on reentrant corners, and so on.

As you can see in the images in this article, when there is insufficient discretization of the system, the geometric incursions of the system are barely detected. and the system consequently approximates a bending beam. Therefore, a reasonable design is not possible.