GEOMETRIC MESH ADAPTIVITY

Presents a simple adaptive a priori mesh refinement scheme, capable of fitting the finite element mesh to a curved surface at any degree of accuracy with cost control. The technique is based on the geometry of the surface and relies on the possibility of defining a projection ope rator in the proximity of the surface itself. It is applied here to cu rved shells, though it will be seen that it can be easily extended, wi th the due adjustments, to cope with other situations. Includes simple examples to show the applicability and performance of the method.