2D Mesh Study of Simulated Mechanical Loading on Thoracic Cross-Sectional Image

Mesh quality is considered a verification step in the validation procedure for computational modelling. In this paper, the element meshing size was studied using computational mesh quality check method for two dimensional computed tomographic image of the human thorax. Three cases of healthy adults (aged 60, 45 and 36) were scanned and two layers for each set of images were segmented and modelled with two pinpoint mechanical loading (CPR and Kick). Segmentation was done using SOLIDWORKS software while meshing and simulation were performed using ANSYS. The meshing method was performed in the modelling simulation software and five-element sizes were tested for the geometry (3, 2, 1, 0.7, and 0.5 mm). In each case, simulation was run with recording the strain and total deformation for comparing the strain range change while changing the element size. Additional parameters for the simulation software were measured to record the mesh quality before each simulation ensuring the convergence each time. In conclusion, meshing element size was found to be a significant factor even for two-dimensional finite element model and element size reduction can be limited to 0.7mm without the need for further reduction for lower computational time and effort.