ABSTRACT
The finite element method first employed triangular elements to model structural problems. Many commercially available finite element codes for structural analysis use a mixture of triangles and quadrilaterals. When creating a triangular elements mesh, it is recommended that elements be more closely placed in the direction of the largest gradient. Elements that are equilateral in shape are more accurate than long, narrow triangular elements, and when dealing with curved irregular boundaries, the sides of the element should closely approximate the boundary. In keeping with the procedure commonly practiced in most finite element schemes, the local node numbers associated with a triangular element will be designated 1, 2, and 3 in a counterclockwise order. The generation of a simple mesh using linear triangular elements is relatively easy for simple geometries, and in some instances may not require sophisticated mesh-generation techniques.
