How to aoid invertted mesh in solid mechanics

How to visualize inverted mesh elements?

You can visualize inverted mesh elements using the built-in reldetjacmin variable, which is the minimum of the determinant of the Jacobian matrix for the mapping from local (element) coordinates to global coordinates. A minimum value less than zero for an element means that the element is wrapped inside-out; that is, it is an inverted mesh element.

What if I experience inverted mesh elements while meshing?

If you experience inverted mesh elements while meshing, you usually do not have a solution. In such cases, plot the logical expression qual<0 instead, because reldetjacmin is not available. The plot then shows the inverted mesh elements as the elements for which the mesh quality is negative.

How does the solver prevent inverted mesh elements?

When solving a model, the solver ensures that no inverted mesh elements are created. This is done by reducing the geometry shape order for the corresponding elements to first order. By default, the solver does this automatically. Alternatively, you can avoid problems with inverted mesh elements by using linear geometry shape order for all elements.

Are curved mesh elements inverted?

In most cases, the linear (straight) mesh elements that you see in a mesh plot are not inverted, but the higher-order curved mesh elements used for computing the solution might be. Studying the minimum element quality therefore does not reveal the presence of inverted mesh elements in most cases.

How do I avoid inverted curved elements in a tetrahedral mesh?

Warnings nodes () also appear in the solver sequence where the inverted mesh elements appear. If you are using a Free Tetrahedral node to create the mesh, it is often possible to avoid inverted curved elements by selecting the Avoid inverted curved elements check box in the node’s Settings window under Element Quality Optimization.

Does a minimum element quality reveal inverted mesh elements?

Studying the minimum element quality therefore does not reveal the presence of inverted mesh elements in most cases. Inverted mesh elements in themselves do not pose any immediate threat to the overall accuracy of your solution. However, if you are using an iterative solver, it might fail to converge.