Level Of Fidelity Adaptation Of Structural Models To Support In-Space Servicing, Assembly, And Manufacturing (isam)

In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) operations increasingly rely on digital twin technology to perform predictive structural analysis in resource-constrained environments. A key challenge in deploying structural finite element analysis (FEA) within a digital twin lies in determining mesh fidelity settings that balance simulation accuracy with computational efficiency. This thesis presents the development of a MATLAB-based adaptive mesh refinement framework designed to identify optimal FEA mesh parameters prior to integration into a digital twin system. The tool iteratively refines mesh resolution across faces, edges, and vertices based on von Mises stress distribution and convergence behavior. Termination criteria are governed by stress stabilization thresholds and a normalized stress variation metric. The simulation automatically adjusts mesh densities to concentrate refinement in high-stress zones while minimizing complexity in low-stress regions. The framework was validated against high-resolution Fusion 360 simulations, demonstrating convergence within 2% of reference stress values while using fewer elements and nodes. By characterizing the fidelity-performance trade-offs in advance, this method enables scalable deployment of structural simulations within digital twins for ISAM applications. The tool's modular architecture supports future extension to dynamic loading, thermal effects, and embedded real-time operation in onboard environments.