Complex-Geometry IGA Mesh Generation: application to structural vibrations

Abstract

We present an isogeometric analysis (IGA) framework for structural vibrations involving complex geometries. The framework is based on the Complex-Geometry IGA Mesh Generation (CGIMG) method. The CGIMG process is flexible and can accommodate, without a major effort, challenging complex-geometry applications in computational mechanics. To demonstrate how the new IGA framework significantly increases the computational effectiveness, in a set of structural-vibration test computations, we compare the accuracies attained by the IGA and finite element (FE) method as the number of degrees-of-freedom is increased. The results show that the NURBS meshes lead to faster convergence and higher accuracy compared to both linear and quadratic FE meshes. The clearly defined IGA mesh generation process and significant per-degree-of-freedom accuracy advantages of IGA over FE discretization make IGA more accessible, reliable, and attractive in applications of both academic and industrial interest. We note that the accuracy of a structural mechanics discretization, which may be assessed through eigenfrequency analysis, plays an important role in the overall accuracy of fluid–structure interaction computations.