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Computing intersections between non-compatible curves and finite elements

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Abstract

This paper presents a method to find all intersections between curved lines such as structural line elements and finite element meshes with intentions to generate smaller, non-compatible, line cells (e.g. bar elements) between crossings. The intersection finding algorithm works for two and three-dimensional meshes constituted by linear, quadratic or higher order elements. Using the proposed algorithm, meshes can then be automatically prepared for finite element analyses with techniques for embedding elements within others or analyses that require lines within solids. The application of the method is demonstrated by a number of numerical examples illustrating its capabilities in handling complex geometries, relative speed and convenience.

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Acknowledgments

The support of the Australian Research Council (ARC), under grant DE120100163, and the Brazilian Research Council (CNPq) are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, DF, CEP 70910-900, Brazil

    Raul Durand & Márcio M. Farias

  2. School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Dorival M. Pedroso

Authors
  1. Raul Durand
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  2. Márcio M. Farias
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  3. Dorival M. Pedroso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dorival M. Pedroso.

Additional information

Australian Research Council grant DE120100163 and Brazilian Reseach Council CNPq.

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Durand, R., Farias, M.M. & Pedroso, D.M. Computing intersections between non-compatible curves and finite elements. Comput Mech 56, 463–475 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-015-1181-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-015-1181-y

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