Structured HEXA meshing using Ansys ICEM CFD

When building mesh for a CFD simulation, hexahedron (hexa) mesh comes in handy. One of many reasons why
hexa mesh is more suitable is that it takes approximately eight times more of tetrahedrons for meshing same
volume part as it takes to build hexa mesh. Therefore it takes more CPU time. Secondly it is more suitable for
building mesh in direction of streamlines.
Structured hexa mesh is not generic. We have to define large blocks and then we devide them into smaller
hexa elements. There is a lot of manual control when manipulating shape of elements in structured meshing
technique.
We will demonstrate how to build single domain around an impeller blade and then multiply it using cyclic
periodicity. Mesh will be perfectly consistent.

I prepared one project example for our tutorial subject just to illustrate basic idea of how to build structured
hexa mesh. Note that it is not necessary that this particular example would be final example for the video
tutorial. It might be a bit simplified. We are building mesh around single impeller blade which is rotating in
small axial pump.
1.) Importing geometry from CAD programs

Picture 1: Geometry of single blade domain

First step is to import geometry from arbitrary CAD program and prepare it for meshing. We have to make
sure that there are no gaps between surfaces.

2.) Repairing geometry and topology

Some procedures are required to prepare geometry for meshing

Picture 2: Geometry repair settings

3.) Initializing block

Picture 3: Initial settings for blocks

In this step we initialize our first block. We associate it with model edges. Afterwards we cut it into smaller
blocks.

Picture 4: Cutting blocks

4.) Aligning , cutting blocks and associating block topology with geometric
Blocks are connected with each other by vertices and edges. We have to associate boundary edges and
vertices with geometry curves and points.

Picture 5: Aligning block edges

If necessary we have to use O-grid function to model wall boundaries.

5.) Making periodic mesh

Picture 6: Making periodic vertices and block faces

We have to align vertices in order to get periodic mesh around central axis.

6.) Testing mesh quality

Picture 7: Checking mesh quality

We have to check elements quality such as aspect ratio, jacobian, min. or max. Angle, Etc. We have to fulfill
minimum requirements for solver.
7.) Converting to unstructured mesh
We convert structured block mesh to unstructured hexa mesh which can now be used for simulation.

Picture 8: Finished single blade periodic domain

At the end we export finished mesh into solver.

8.) Exporting to solver

Picture 9: Circular mesh pattern of single periodic domain

In solver we multiply periodic mesh around given axis and build multi-domain model for
simulation. Interface between each blade domain is now fully consistent, one on one node interface.