A Combined Subdivision and Advancing Loop-Front Surface Mesher (Triangular) for Automotive Structures

In this paper, a new, hybrid, 2D meshing algorithm, CSALF-T, is proposed for boundary-structured triangular meshes used for the analyses of automotive structures. The algorithm is based on the understanding of boundary loops. All mesh area boundary loops are initially meshed recursively with a new, loop-based advancing ?loop-front? technique that produces high-quality boundary-structured meshes. The remaining interior domain is filled out by a recursive subdivision technique. Both approaches are driven by a background sizing function. The mesh is finally smoothed by a variational smoother. Loop-fronts are classified and rule sets are defined for each, to aid optimum point placement. Stencils used for loop-closure are presented. Results show examples of meshes used for the crash analyses of automotive body panels with large mesh size transition generated on complex 2D domains. Comparisons are made to pronounce the merits of the hybrid algorithm with respect to both traditional advancing front and subdivision based meshing techniques.