An adaptive finite element mesh generation algorithm for microstructure of composite materials

According to the feature of particulate composite microstructure, an adaptive finite element mesh generation algorithm was developed for the multi-particle packing structure. Based on the force equilibrium method, mesh was compared to a truss structure with inner force; the distances between nodes to particles, particles to particles and curvature were adopted to build the mesh size function. The summation of force on nodes was calculated by the mesh size function and the force-length function. Then, the location of nodes was updated by iteration until the structure was equilibrium, and the adaptive mesh was formed. At last, adaptive meshes of two microstructures with different type particles were given. The result shows the algorithm captures geometrical and mechanical feature of the structure well, is simple and efficient to perform.