Learning Forum

[ishan]

I have a 2D axi-symmetric geometry for which I am generating block-structured mesh in ICEM. I am converting this 2D block setup to a 3D block setup by rotating the 2D blocks using a dedicated option in ICEM.

I have noticed that the edge grading consisting of growth ratios and linked edges in 2D is not preserved when the blocks are rotated to 3D.

I specifically want to use this approach because keeping a track of blocks and associations in 3D model is too complicated and time consuming. The 2D to 3D pathway helps me a lot but I lose the grading information I generated in 2D. 

Ideally, this grading should be preserved when the rotation is done. 

Unfortunately I cannot use any other meshing tool and for my application, a block-structured mesh is needed.

How can I solve this problem ?

[Essence]

Hello,

Can you share the screenshot of the geometry in ICEM? I suspect association not carried out properly.

[ishan]

I cannot share any pictures ufortunately. I perform the association by first associating vertices to points and then edges to curves.

The geometry overall is complicated but, it's made of mostly straight lines so associating them is straightforward. Also, the 3D edges adher to the associations I made in 2D. The associations I think are not an issue. It's the loss of edge grading information.

I also tried to run the Checks/Fix but that doesn't solve the issue.

Ideally, should the grading be maintained when 2D to 3D rotation is done ?

 

[ishan]

To add, I confirm the assocations by checing whether the edges have turned to green, the vertices have turned to red and by visually inspecting them. I usually turn the "Project to edges" on under "Edges" group. This ensures that my associated edges have correct shape after associations. The underlying geometry is made in Spaceclaim.

[Essence]

Hello,

I understand that you are not able to share the screenshots of the mesh. Perhaps, could share the screenshots of ICEM panels depicting the procedure you undertook to create the 3D mesh? Do not upload the pdf/ppt file. Upload only the images one by one. 

[ishan]

This is the setup for one of the edges. i have tried to turn off the "Parameters Locked" option but that doesn't help. It is check marked by default.

[Essence]

You also need to use "Extrude Mesh" from Edit Mesh tab. Choose Elements and select all. Extrude by rotation for 2D axisymmetric cases and choose X axis and origin.

Angle per layer: ___ degrees

Number of layers: ___

Merge degenerated elements

Delete original elements

No uncovered faces after delete

Please fill in the blanks according to your application.

[Venkata Chennuru]

I also have a similar problem with the extrude rotate tool as ishan. I tried your method method of 'extrude mesh', but for it to work, I have to generate the unstructured 2d mesh and when I rotate the mesh elements, I don't have the said grading on the edges. But, the big problem is, I don't have blocking on the extruded mesh either. And I need this blocking to extrude this mesh to the farfield.
Is there something that I am missing here?

[ishan]

Apologies for the late reply Essence. My last month has been busy and I had to shift focus from ANSYS to other software. 

Unfortuantely, the mesh rotation won't work.  This is because I want to perform futher operations on the rotate blocks. Specifically, I want to merge an O-Grid topology. I have to do this in separate phases because I have a student license and it cannot handle large mesh-count iterative operations. This merging works very well.

However, my original problem still remains. I am sure that ICEM has an issue in this rotation option.  At the moment, I have no option but to manually link each and every edge. It will take two hours or so but I think this should be avoided by ICEM. I have tried all other options.

Thank you for reading.