ABSTRACT
The very process of dividing the model into FEs is called meshing, and the result of that division is a mesh of FEs. Meshing is crucial for the final success of the FEA. While meshing a solid body model, SW Simulation generates two types of FEs (Figure 3.2):
• Linear solid element (Figure 3.2a) is a linear tetrahedral FE. It is defined by four nodes at its corners that are connected through six straight edges. As the displacement functions along these edges are linear functions, the element is also called an FE of the first order. Using this type of FE or FEs, the program generates a draft quality mesh.
