Geometry |
 
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Geometry |
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Finite element geometry in Flexcom is defined in terms of basic components or building blocks, namely nodes, elements, and lines. Finite element analysts will, of course, be familiar with the concept of nodes and elements. The use of cables in Flexcom is related to the program’s cable pre-static step, which is described in detail later. Lines are a relatively recent addition to Flexcom, and essentially provide an automatic mesh creation facility whereby nodes, elements and cables can be generated quite easily. Flexcom also provides a number of options for defining auxiliary bodies, used to produce a visual representation of an object (such as a floating vessel).
The various program options for defining model geometry are discussed in the following sections:
•Nodes and Elements summarises the explicit specification of nodal coordinates and finite element connectivity.
•Cables describes the Flexcom cable pre-static step.
•Equivalent Nodes describes a facility for identifying coincident nodes as being equivalent.
•Node and Element Labels introduces the concept of node and element labelling.
•Lines describes the use of lines for model building. Lines provide an automatic mesh creation facility to greatly expedite the model creation process. Using lines is a fundamentally different approach to working directly with nodes, elements and cables, although the information is ultimately handled in the same fashion internally. Since lines provide automatic mesh generation, you do not to concern yourself with explicit node and element numbering. Indeed the availability of lines makes nodes, elements and cables redundant to some degree, but they are retained for complete generality, and also to maintain downward compatibility with previous program versions.
•Auxiliary Bodies describes a facility for including components in a model for visual or illustrative purposes only, typically a floating vessel. Auxiliary bodies do not form part of the finite element model of the structure.
•Undeformed Versus Initial Positions discusses some of the more advanced program facilities, specifically with regard to specifying an initial deformed structure configuration.