Simplification of FEM-models on Cell BE

Abstract. Preparing a CAD model for Finite Element (FE) analysis can be a time-consuming task, where shape and mesh simplifications play an important role. It is important that the simplified model has the same mechanical properties as the original one, and that the deviation from the original stays within a given tolerance. Most FE mesh simplification algorithms are either fully or partially se-quential, and are therefore not suitable for architectures with high levels of parallelism. Furthermore, the use of processors such as GPUs of IBMs Cell BE requires algorithms to be adapted to benefit from their compu-tational advantages. Here, we present an algorithm written for parallel processors, and its implementation for the Cell BE.