On integrated finite element modelling

A new integrated approach for finite element modeling is presented in which a treelike data structure is set up as a framework for shape acquisition, geometric modeling, frontal solution and scientific visualization. A modeling environment based on the quadtree approach is discussed. The system accepts either a geometric or digitized description of the object to be analyzed and generates a valid decomposition with minimum user intervention. Several techniques are unveiled which contribute to the emergence of fully automatic finite-element analyzers.<>