Impact Of Mesh Quality Parameters On Elements Such As Beam, Shell And 3D Solid In Structural Analysis

This study compares the performance of linear and quadratic tetrahedral elements and hexahedral elements in various structural problems. The problems selected demonstrate different types of behaviour, namely, bending, shear, torsional and axial deformations. It was observed that the results obtained with quadratic tetrahedral elements and hexahedral elements were equivalent in terms of accuracy. The comparison is done for linear static problems, modal analyses and nonlinear analyses involving large deflections, contact and plasticity. The advantages and disadvantages are shown using tetrahedral and hexahedral elements. Some recommendations and general rules are given for finite element users in choosing the element shape.