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Value of the force density for a element and not for the nodes of a mesh

Posted Aug 6, 2012, 4:06 a.m. EDT Low-Frequency Electromagnetics, Interfacing, Geometry, Mesh, Structural Mechanics Version 4.2, Version 4.2a, Version 4.3 2 Replies

Salvatore Iovieno
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maybe I was not clear, I try to explain more the problem:

The element : the nodes composed a element, for exemple 8 nodes composed a simple linear element (a little cubic).
The object : is the geometry, is composed by elements.

When Comsol transfers the Lorent's force from EM analysis to a structural analysis, it transfer the value corresponding of the first mesh(EM) to another mesh (Structural), but it should to adapt the values of the nodes(Nodes are usually placed at the element corners) between the two mesh,right?. The transfered value (ex.force density) is transfered to the nodes of the second mesh(Structural) with the help of the shapes fonctions of the second mesh, because the elements was differents. The nodes beetwen the two mesh (EM and Structural) have differents coordinates and form. In others words I should to export mf.FLtrz (I think is a distrubution on the object, right?) for the area (or volume) of a single element of the mesh (Em or Structural,type of element: cubic,thetraedral,..),it is possible?

For exemple in Ansys(another FEM program) we could apply a force on a single element(for exemple a little cubic,thetraedral,... the same of the mesh) and than ansys compute the distrubution of this force on the corresponding element with tha shape fonctions. It is possible in Comsol? If it is possible is valid the reverse -> read a force density (Surface or volumetric) of a element?

thank s


2 Replies Last Post Aug 9, 2012, 9:03 a.m. EDT
Salvatore Iovieno
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Posted: 1 decade ago Aug 6, 2012, 11:27 a.m. EDT
Sorry i could not delete this post message
Sorry i could not delete this post message
Ivar KJELBERG COMSOL Multiphysics(r) fan, retired, former "Senior Expert" at CSEM SA (CH)
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Posted: 1 decade ago Aug 9, 2012, 9:03 a.m. EDT
Hi

the thing is that COMSOL does not operate exactly that way.

In COMSOL, your elementary item = ENTITY is the analysed Geometry (not the mesh) = a domain or boundary (possible edge and point, depending on spatial dimensions chosen) . meshing and discretization is the math you apply to "digitize" your Entity and to solve your equations. Then COMSOL maps the result back onto the entity = Domain and/or Boundary).
Therefore, if you want to apply a local force, you should either cut your boundary, or domain to make a small "entity" and apply the force thereon, then ensure that the mesh is fine enough to get several elements around your region. or you apply a boundary load multiplied by some shaping function limiting its spatial extent, provided you get the normalisation correct, and that you ensure enough mesh density to correctly resolve your applied load shape

Applying boundary loads to points/vertices is possible but mathematically its a singularity w.r.t. the FEM approach and you get non-physical stress concentrations, locally

In COMSOL I find we distinguish better the physics and the math with a clear separation between them, the mesh is part of the digitizing to apply the FEM math onto the general physics equations, via the geometrical topology

--
Good luck
Ivar
Hi the thing is that COMSOL does not operate exactly that way. In COMSOL, your elementary item = ENTITY is the analysed Geometry (not the mesh) = a domain or boundary (possible edge and point, depending on spatial dimensions chosen) . meshing and discretization is the math you apply to "digitize" your Entity and to solve your equations. Then COMSOL maps the result back onto the entity = Domain and/or Boundary). Therefore, if you want to apply a local force, you should either cut your boundary, or domain to make a small "entity" and apply the force thereon, then ensure that the mesh is fine enough to get several elements around your region. or you apply a boundary load multiplied by some shaping function limiting its spatial extent, provided you get the normalisation correct, and that you ensure enough mesh density to correctly resolve your applied load shape Applying boundary loads to points/vertices is possible but mathematically its a singularity w.r.t. the FEM approach and you get non-physical stress concentrations, locally In COMSOL I find we distinguish better the physics and the math with a clear separation between them, the mesh is part of the digitizing to apply the FEM math onto the general physics equations, via the geometrical topology -- Good luck Ivar

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