2D Finite Element Mesh Module

The 2D Mesh Module is used to manipulate 2D finite element meshes. A mesh consists of a finite element network and the boundary conditions applied to that network. A variety of tools are provided for mesh generation and mesh editing. In SMS, 2D meshes are used as the basis for analysis for several models. These include:

CGWAVE – phase resolving wave reflection and refraction analysis.
FESWMS-2DH – sub/supercritical riverine and esturaline hydrodynamics. (sediment transport has been recently added.)
Generic Model Interface – user defined models.
HIVEL-2D - supercritical riverine hydrodynamics.
IMS-ADCIRC – coastal/tidal hydrodynamics.
TABS – (RMA2, RMA4, SED2D) – subcritical riverine and estuarine hydrodynamics and transport

A finite element mesh

After an analysis, output data at each node of the mesh can be used to generate contour, fringe and vector plots to represent the solution. Multiple time steps from time variant solutions can be strung together to form an animation of the dynamic solution. SMS also generates animations of steady state vector functions such as flow velocity. This technique is called "Particle Tracing".

The Mesh Module is used for pre- and post- processing of finite element meshes. Various tools and menu commands are provided for manipulating data. A limited number of finite element analysis models are directly supported by SMS. These include:

Hydrodynamic Models

RMA2 (USACE-WES TABS-MD)
FESWMS-2DH (FHWA)
HIVEL2D (USACE-WES)

Water Quality

RMA4 (USACE-WES TABS-MD)
SED2D-WES (USACE-WES TABS-MD)

Coastal Modeling

ADCIRC (USACE-WES)
CGWAVE (USACE-WES)

Other finite element analysis models can use SMS for pre- and post- processing via the generic model interface or through the generic SMS file formats.

Current Numerical Model

The mesh module is set up to be used with a single numerical model analysis engine at any given time. The current numerical model is changed using the Data Menu, Switch Current Model menu command. SMS shows only those tools in the tool palette and those menus in the Menu Bar which are relevant to the current numerical model. After a finite element mesh has been reated, boundary conditions and material properties can be assigned using the commands in the menus associated with the current numerical model. By default, SMS starts inside the Mesh Module with the TABS models current. The current model on startup can be changed using the preferences.