A non trivial Salome finite element model imported into XC.

Post date: Jun 1, 2015 12:16:51 PM

Here we have a quite complex finite element model. The mesh was generated with Salome from a CAD model loaded from a Iges file. The Salome's mesh (and node and element sets) were loaded into XC through some simple Python routines. The elements sets were chosen to make easier to assign materials and constraints to the different parts. The steps we have followed to generate the mesh were the following:

Using a CAD software, we create a simple wireframe 3D model. This wireframe model will be used in to define the vertex (keypoints iff you want) of the blocks to be meshed so it must be an accurate enough representation of the object's geometry.
Export to an IGES format file and import the resulting file into Salome's geometry module.
Use this module to create the topological objects (vertex -keypoints-, edges, surfaces and/or solids) that will be used to create the mesh.
Using the MESH module, select the hypothesis and algorithms which we'll use to create the mesh. Use the quality controls provided by this module to do a quality control of the mesh. Create groups of nodes, elements,... as necessary.
Export the mesh and the groups using the DAT file format.
Import the mesh DAT into XC using the Python routines provided for that purpose. Import the DAT group files into XC as elements (or nodes, or whatever...) sets. Assign suitable material properties to the elements of each set. Create loads and constraints as necessary.

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