Excessive Element Distortion

- January 13, 2022 at 7:08 pm
  
  max_n
  Subscriber
  
  What is meant by excessive element distortion?
  Is there a mathematical formula used to define when ANSYS considers an element distorted?
  Also, is there a way to turn off this error? For example, if I want ANSYS to keep trying to solve even when it thinks an element is distorted too much?
- January 14, 2022 at 2:27 am
  
  peteroznewman
  Subscriber
  
  A perfect element shape is a square or cube for a quad or hex element. As the element deviates from that perfect shape, the accuracy of the output from the element degrades. At some point, the element can't produce any output because it has turned inside out.
  There are many element quality metrics that use different equations to calculate the quality of each metric. How will it help you to know the formula?
  There is no way to turn off the error. The corrective action when this error occurs is to follow the directions given in the error message. It says something about using smaller load increments (more substeps) or improving the initial element shape quality. Sometimes, pre-shaping the elements so that as the distortion occurs, the elements distort into better element shapes, not worse.