Mesh Consideration in FEA and CFD Analysis

Meshing is still one of the most important tasks  for most CAE users. You need make judgements whether the mesh is good enough for your physical problem. Here are the mesh consideration in FEA and CFD analysis. I know there are probably some other good considerations. If you get one, please post it in the comments box below.

1. For simple comparison of different designs, coarse mesh is OK but for accurate stresses, finer mesh  is needed.

2. Invest elements at locations of interest (refining the mesh only in the regions of interest). Greater numbers of elements require more compute resource (memory / processing time). Balance the fidelity of the simulation with available resources.

3.  Elements distorted from their basic shape can be less accurate. Greater the distortion, the greater the error. Four types of distortion : Aspect ratio (elongation), Angular distortion (skew and taper), Volumetric distortion, Mid node position distortion (higher order elements)

4. When you choose an element type, you are implicitly choosing and accepting the element shape function assumed for that element type.  Therefore, check the shape function information before you choose an element type.