Mesh generation with adaptive finite element analysis

This paper deals with key aspects of the coupling of automatic mesh generation with adaptive analysis and shape optimisation of planar and surface structures. Adaptive analysis requires the design of nearly optimal meshes with varying element sizes to achieve a prescribed accuracy. In any shape optimisation process as the region to be discretised changes continuously and sometimes drastically, mesh generation should ideally take place without intervention by the analyst and without any excessive distortion of elements. To carry out these processes in a fully automatic and efficient manner a highly robust, versatile and flexible mesh generator is required. A brief introduction to the features of one such automatic mesh generator, based on the advancing front method, is described. Several examples are presented exploiting the potential of this mesh generator for adaptive analysis and shape optimisation. The integration of the mesh generation with these procedures well as some issues which required special attention.