Introduction to HEXABLOCK

Within the SALOME framework, a CAD module (GEOM) and a meshing module (SMESH) are developped. This tools enable the construction of hexaedrical meshes by means of a CAD cutting in blocks (the method of blocks) topologically equivalent to hexaedra. Once this cutting performed, the mesh construction is easy, but the method of blocks can be touchy if the piece to mesh is complex.

The Hexablock module aims at helping users to build hexaedrical meshes via this method by blocks. The fondamental choice is to execute the method by blocks where the user has to determine the needed blocks - The HexaBlock component is destined for:

• the construction of the real CAD (see The CAD)
• the creation of a model of blocks (see Principle: the method by blocks)
• the association of this model of blocks to the geometry (see Associate a model of blocks to a geometry)
• the mesh generation (see Generate the mesh)

• The CAD
• Principle: the method by blocks
  • Applicative choices
  • Create a model of blocks
    • Examples of simple models of blocks:
• Associate a model of blocks to a geometry
  • Associate the vertices
  • Associate the edges
  • Associate the quadrangles
• Define groups on the model of blocks
• Meshing with Hexahedra
  • Define a law of discretization
  • Set the propagation laws
  • Generate the mesh
  • Functionalities
  • Mesh Algorithm
    • Examples
• Example: Python script for a connecting rod
  • Steps
  • Model creation
  • Recovering vertices and points before the association
  • Association of the model to the geometry
  • Definition of elements groups for the mesh
  • Definition of a law discretization
  • Mesh generation
• Annexe
  • Definition of an hexahedron
    • Quadrangles in an hexahedron
    • Edges in an hexahedron
    • Vertices in an hexahedron