The spatial twist continuum: A connectivity based method for representing all-hexahedral finite element meshes

This paper introduces the spatial twist continuum (STC), a powerful extension of the dual of a hexahedral mesh. The STC captures the global connectivity constraints inherent in hexahedral meshing. We begin by describing the two-dimensional analog of the representation for quadrilateral meshes: The S...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Finite elements in analysis and design 1997-12, Vol.28 (2), p.137-149
Main Authors: Murdoch, Peter, Benzley, Steven, Blacker, Ted, Mitchell, Scott A.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This paper introduces the spatial twist continuum (STC), a powerful extension of the dual of a hexahedral mesh. The STC captures the global connectivity constraints inherent in hexahedral meshing. We begin by describing the two-dimensional analog of the representation for quadrilateral meshes: The STC of a quadrilateral mesh is an arrangement of curves called chords. Chords pass through opposite quadrilateral edges and intersect at quadrilateral centroids. The power of the STC is displayed in the three-dimensional representation, where continuous surfaces called twist planes pass through layers of hexahedra. Pairs of twist planes intersect to form chords that pass through opposite faces of hexahedra. Triples of twist planes orthogonally intersect at the centroids of hexahedra. The continuity of the twist planes and chords, and how twist planes and chords twist through space, are the basis of the spatial twist continuum.
ISSN:0168-874X
1872-6925
DOI:10.1016/S0168-874X(97)81956-7