A simple history-dependent remeshing technique to increase finite element model stability in elastic surface deformations

Abstract

In this paper we present and validate a simple adaptive surface remeshing technique to transfer history dependent variables from an old distorting mesh to a new mesh during finite element simulations of elastic surface deformation. This technique allows us to reduce the error arising from excessive mesh distortion whilst preserving information about the initial configuration of the mesh and the history dependent variables. The transfer technique presented here constructs the initial configuration of the new mesh by considering the distortion incurred by the elements of the old mesh and projecting backwards in time. Using this new initial configuration, the stress and strain over the new mesh..