Mesh Settings

The following parameters specify the mesh sizing and coarseness. Smaller mesh elements take longer to simulate.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tab Mesh panel Mesh Settings

Mesh Settings
	Average Element Size	Specifies the average distance between mesh element nodes. The value is a fraction of longest model dimension in x-, y-, or z- direction. Specifying a smaller value results in smaller mesh elements and an increase in mesh nodes. Generally, the number of elements is inversely proportional to: The cube of this parameter for bulky models The square of this parameter for thin models Default: 0.100 Recommended, unless otherwise required: 0.100 to 0.050
	Minimum Element Size	Specifies the minimum distance between mesh nodes. The value is a fraction of the mesh Average Size value. This is a highly sensitive parameter. If you increase this value, the mesh nodal density will decrease, but the mesh quality may suffer as a result. If you decrease the value, the mesh quality will improve, but the number of elements may increase dramatically. Default: 0.200 Recommended, unless otherwise required: 0.100 to 0.200
	Grading Factor	Specifies the maximum ratio of adjacent mesh edges for transitioning between coarse and fine regions. For example, a setting of 1.5 limits an elements edge length to 1.5 times the edge length of the adjacent element. A smaller grading factor produces a more uniform mesh. Grading factor values range from 1 to 10. A value of 1 produces the most uniform mesh transition. A value of 10 produces the least uniform mesh transition. Increasing the value can reduce the number of elements and local mesh quality. Decreasing the value (minimum is 1) can drastically increase the number of elements. Default: 1.500 Recommended, unless otherwise required: 1.500 to 3.000
	Maximum Turn Angle	Specifies the maximum angle for arcs, from 1 through 90 degrees. This can increase the number of elements on curved areas. A smaller angle produces smaller mesh elements. Default: 60 degrees Recommended, unless otherwise required: 30 to 60 degrees
	Create Curved Mesh Elements	Creates meshes with curved edges and faces. If you clear this option, you produce meshes with straight elements, which can lead to a less accurate representation of the model.
Assembly Option
	Use part based measure for Assembly mesh	In the assembly context, sets part mesh sizes to be like the part based context (part outside the assembly context)

Note: You can preview the mesh before you run the simulation. In the simulation study context menu, use the Mesh View command.

Mesh commands can also be accessed from the context menu of the simulation browser Mesh node.