FE Meshing Tool for the Dynamic Analysis of Beam-Like Structures

This paper outlines a methodology for the automatic creation of finite element meshes used for calculating structural dynamic behaviour. Starting from the idealized geometry of the structure, the proposed Intelligent Meshing Tool determines a mesh density that a priori guarantees the resonant frequencies to be calculated within predetermined accuracy limits. Unlike most existing techniques for automatic meshing, this technique is not inherently adaptive, but does not exclude an extra adaptive mesh refinement step, either. Implementation of this methodology is discussed for structures composed of straight uniform, curved and tapered beam-like components. The feasibility of the meshing strategy is illustrated by means of an example.