Mesh

The following video shows how to create a mesh for the 2D geometry. We stick with the default "Q8" elements (eight nodes per element including mid-side nodes). The element edge sizes are controlled by inserting a "face sizing".

<iframe width="600" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MB2I7fv6MdE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

We improve the mesh obtained above by refining the mesh in the transition region between the larger and smaller cross-sections where stress concentration is expected. We do so by:

• Decreasing the Curvature Normal Angle which sets the maximum allowable angle that one element edge is allowed to span
• Decreasing the Min Size which sets the minimum allowable element edge size
  

<iframe width="600" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tOwLhL09sNU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Go to Step 4: Physics Setup

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