NekMesh: An open-source high-order mesh generation framework
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: High-order spectral element simulations are now becoming increasingly popular within the computational modelling community, as they offer the potential to deliver increased accuracy at reduced cost compared to traditional low-order codes. However, to support accurate, high-fidelity simulations in complex industrial applications, there is a need to generate curvilinear meshes which robustly and accurately conform to geometrical features. This is, at present, a key challenge within the mesh generation community, with only a few open-source tools able to generate curvilinear meshes for complex geometries. We present NekMesh: an open-source mesh generation package which is designed to enable the generation of valid, high-quality curvilinear meshes of complex, three-dimensional geometries for performing high-order simulations. We outline the software architecture adopted in NekMesh, which uses a pipeline of processing modules to provide a flexible, CAD-independent high-order mesh processing tool, capable of both generating meshes for a wide range of use cases, as well as post-processing linear meshes from a range of input formats for use with high-order simulations. A number of examples in various application areas are presented, with a particular emphasis on challenging aeronautical and fluid dynamics test cases. PROGRAM SUMMARY Program Title: NekMesh (version 5.4.0) CPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/d82hjm4v6r.1 Licensing provisions: MIT Programming language: C++ External routines/libraries: Boost, TinyXML, OpenCASCADE, Triangle, TetGen, HDF5 Nature of problem: NekMesh is a high-order mesh generation framework with the goal of providing a robust framework to automate the process of generating valid meshes for complex three-dimensional CAD geometries. Solution method: Energy minimisation, solid body models and other techniques based around high-order finite element methods. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The supplied cases require a system with 16384 MB of RAM for the automotive example and 32768 MB of RAM for the variational optimisation example.
Source: Computer Physics Communications
Authors: M.D. Green, K.S. Kirilov, M. Turner, J. Marcon, J. Eichstädt, E. Laughton, C.D. Cantwell, S.J. Sherwin, J. Peiró, D. Moxey
Institutions: King's College London, Imperial College London
Language: English
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,410
Funders: UK Atomic Energy Authority, UK Research and Innovation, Met Office, Seventh Framework Programme, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Horizon 2020, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Awards: Platform: Underpinning Technologies for Finite Element Simulation, G1877116656, G2692153232, G3321812636, G3957501995, ELEMENT - Exascale Mesh Network, G7087864513, Stability and Sensitivity Methods for Flow Control and Industrial Design, PRISM: Platform for Research In Simulation Methods, G7554227835, libhpc Stage II: A Long-term Solution for the Usability, Maintainability and Sustainability of HPC Software, Uncertainty Quantification at the Exascale (EXA-UQ)
OpenAlex ID: W4391037947