[ICEM] How do I create a transition from structured to unstructured mesh?

niablis · February 18, 2016, 17:50

I am creating a structured mesh to model the boundary layer around a plane, but then I would like the mesh to transition to unstructured at a certain distance. I have not been able to find any good tutorials or discussions on this problem in a 3-D mesh. Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated!!

Andrea1984 · February 21, 2016, 18:39

If the unstructured mesh that you want to use it's a full tetra mesh, the solution is straightforward: generate the structured and the unstructured mesh separately, load them at the same time (using the merge option when prompted), and then merge the two meshes at the interface (pyramids will be created as transitional elements between hexa and tetra).

If your unstructured mesh contains inflation layers, then it is a bit more complicated...

niablis · February 22, 2016, 13:50

Andrea,

Thanks for your reply! I will test out your method today and get back to you if I have any questions.

Cheers!

niablis · February 23, 2016, 13:16

To wrap up this thread, and to help others that may have the same question I did, I found the best solution in the ICEM 15.0 tutorial manual under "Merged Tetra-Hexa Mesh in a Hybrid Tube". The key was that the structured mesh was saved in its pre-mesh state in blocking and then loaded back in after the unstructured mesh had been generated.

February 18, 2016, 17:50	How do I create a transition from structured to unstructured mesh?	#1
niablis Member B.H. Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 47 Rep Power: 11	I am creating a structured mesh to model the boundary layer around a plane, but then I would like the mesh to transition to unstructured at a certain distance. I have not been able to find any good tutorials or discussions on this problem in a 3-D mesh. Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated!!

February 21, 2016, 18:39		#2
Andrea1984 Senior Member Andrea Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 179 Rep Power: 16	If the unstructured mesh that you want to use it's a full tetra mesh, the solution is straightforward: generate the structured and the unstructured mesh separately, load them at the same time (using the merge option when prompted), and then merge the two meshes at the interface (pyramids will be created as transitional elements between hexa and tetra). If your unstructured mesh contains inflation layers, then it is a bit more complicated... niablis likes this.

February 23, 2016, 13:16		#4
niablis Member B.H. Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 47 Rep Power: 11	To wrap up this thread, and to help others that may have the same question I did, I found the best solution in the ICEM 15.0 tutorial manual under "Merged Tetra-Hexa Mesh in a Hybrid Tube". The key was that the structured mesh was saved in its pre-mesh state in blocking and then loaded back in after the unstructured mesh had been generated. Far, granzer and Dronzer like this.

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February 22, 2016, 13:50		#3
niablis Member B.H. Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: PA, USA Posts: 47 Rep Power: 11	Andrea, Thanks for your reply! I will test out your method today and get back to you if I have any questions. Cheers!