A Mesh Morphing Technique For Geometrically Dissimilar Tessellated Surfaces

Many industrial structural mechanics applications require topologically similar meshes on topologically similar surfaces that might differ in shape or size. Rotationally symmetric mesh models requiring cyclic symmetry boundary conditions, contact meshes that connect large structural assemblies and automotive and space panels with minor structural variations are some common challenges. The present paper discusses a generic technique that assembles several simple mapping /morphing tools to map a mesh from a source surface to a topologically similar target surface that might vary in shape or size. A loop/edge based relationship is used to define the dependency. The boundary discretization method adopted maps m nodes on a loop with n edges to a target loop with p edges. A twodimensional boundary constrained sample mesh is constructed on the related surfaces, which is efficiently used to map the mesh on the source surface to the target using linear isoparametric mapping techniques. Local distortions of the target mesh are checked for and corrected by a mesh relaxation procedure. Although the algorithm works for both parametric NURBS and discrete surfaces, the present discussion focuses on tessellated surfaces. Results include some key examples of practical interest. R. Vurputoor et al. 316