Handling Free Element Edges
For example, let us assume we combined four linear elements to create a single linear element (A). And now, the mid-nodes on the new element aren't connected to this element; they're connected to surrounding elements (B). (The new element isn't a 6-noded quadrilateral hybrid element.) Therefore, free edges occur in the interior of the mesh where the new element is adjacent to existing elements (C).
You can eliminate free element edges in one of two ways:
- Use Combine Elements option to propagate the combined elements throughout the mesh. This
eliminates all free element edges. Here:
- Stitch the new elements
into the mesh by using various combinations of Split Elements, Combine
Elements, Delete, (Create) Element, and Node Connectivity
commands.
C = Use Free Element Edges
to verify that there aren't any free edges in the interior of the mesh.