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FLAC3D mesh and zone quality

ABSTRACT:

Mesh quality is crucial for the stability, accuracy, and fast convergence of numerical simulations. However, given the geometrical complexity of some models and the tools available for mesh creation, it is often necessary to accept meshes that deviate significantly from the known ideal shape. Since mesh generation can be a very time-consuming process, it is also necessary to be able to judge if a given mesh will perform well enough for a given model or if more effort needs to be made to improve its quality. There are many well-understood rules of thumb for judging mesh quality in Finite-Element applications, but these rules do not apply to the Lagrangian finite-volume with mixed-discretization approach used by FLAC3D zones. The goal of this study is to determine simple metrics that allow a user to judge how deformed the initial shape of FLAC3D zones can be before they begin to significantly affect the quality of the solution.

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Abbasi, B., D. Russell, and R. Taghavi (2013). “FLAC3D mesh and zone quality,” Continuum and Distinct Element Numerical Modeling in Geomechanics, Zhu, Detournay, Hart, and Nelson (eds.), Paper: 11-02, Itasca International Inc., Minneapolis, 12 pages, ISBN 978-0-9767577-3-3.