Background

Mesh stripping and shape optimization procedures may result in seriously distorted finite elements and geometrical mesh defects. To some extent such negative effects can be repaired by mesh cleaning, which aims to remove the most problematic elements.

Mesh cleaning process

The mesh cleaning process is an extremely non-linear process, typically requiring many cycles. Due to its highly non-linear nature, the stopping criteria are not easily definable, especially with regard to tradeoff between achievable removals and computation time. In practice this means that it might be worth running the process more than once. In such a case, a few recommendations can be given to get the maximal mesh reparation, as follows.

• Run the process several times by clicking the Clean button again after the previous process completed.
• For each run carefully adjust the cleaning parameters.
• Observe the mesh quality and removed elements data and repeat this procedure until no further removals can be obtained.

NOTE. If the consumed CPU time is acceptable, run the cleaning procedure several times until no further removals can be obtained..

█ Cleaning parameters

Relative edge length threshold
Range: [0.05, 0.30]
This parameter sets the relative edge length threshold for an element to qualify for a potential removal. More precisely, an element may be removed if its shortest edge is shorter than the average element edge, multiplied by this threshold.

Element quality threshold
Range: [0.05, 0.30]
This parameter sets the quality threshold for an element to qualify for a potential removal. More precisely, an element may be removed if its quality is lower than this threshold.