Gerador de malhas de elementos finitos para a simulação numérica de propagação de ondas marítimas

Abstract

The mesh generator GMALHA was developed for the construction of non-structured triangular meshes used in sea wave propagation finite element models. For a given coastal zone delimited by a boundary line and characterised by its bathymetry, GMALHA generates an optimal triangular mesh. The boundary, which sometimes can be very complex, includes a coastline with port infrastructures, beaches, marinas, islands, etc. . . Based on that boundary and bathymetric information within it, GMALHA, first generates a rough triangular mesh that fills the domain. The mesh is then subjected to post-processing, such as: local refinement and optimization (control of elements uniformity, repositioning of points to correct angles and edge swaps to correct node valence). This paper describes the generation, refinement and optimization algorithms of GMALHA. The advantages of this generator are also illustrated with some practical cases of sea wave propagation in coastal areas.