An adaptive mesh h-refinement algorithm for the finite-element modeling ofsheet forming

An error-estimation method based on side curvature is presented to estimate the accuracy of the finite-element discretization of a deformed sheet, esp ecially one with sharp or quasi-sharp corners. The combination of the three basic operations to the side of element, i.e. side splitting, diagonal swa pping and sharp-angle treating, is proposed and used. At the same time, usi ng the internal angles of the corresponding elements as the basic variables , a spring model is presented to define the position of a new node. Finally , two examples are presented to show the efficiency and the accuracy of thi s algorithm. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.