Automatic triangular mesh generation of arbitrary planar domains utilizing the node-pattern for finite element analysis.

This paper is concerned with the computer-oriented mesh generator, called TRMESH, which serves as the pre-processor in finite element method. The purpose of the present investigation is to describe a new algorithm, which is satisfied with the requirements of triangular mesh generation as follows: (1) The algorithm subdivides the problem domain into several regions and controls mesh size in any sub-regions. (2) The algorithm generates the elements in multiply connected domains. (3) The element is close to equilateral triangle in form. (4) The program renumbers the nodes so that the matrix bandwidth is reduced and finally generate the node number, its coordinates, the element number as input data for the finite element analysis. It is shown that the program TRMESH can produce well-shaped elements in the planar domain and that the process of triangulation is very simple. The method described herein is illustrated by the typical examples. Computer graphics techniques are used to facillitate data preparation and to display the results.