A Preprocessor System for Finite Element Analysis

摘要

A preprocessor system developed for use in connection with three-dimensional finite element analysis is described. The system consists of several data entry modules, a central preprocessor and various data translation and conversion utilities. Data entry and generation functions include keyboard, digitizer and file inputs, which are oriented toward the type of thick shell geometry currently encountered in aircraft transparency analysis. The main preprocessor operates on models in 'superelement' form, permitting selective mesh refinement, numerous geometric transformations, and merging of separate models to form the final analysis mesh. Data reformatting modules permit the generation of a complete input file for finite element analysis, and/or the translation of finite element data into other forms for archiving or further processing external to the preprocessor itself. (Author)