A model-integrated localized collocation meshless method for large scale three-dimensional heat transfer problems

We present a Model Integrated Meshless Solver (MIMS) tailored to solve practical large-scale industrial problems. This is accomplished by developing a robust meshless technique as well as a comprehensive model generation procedure. By closely integrating the model generation process into the overall solution methodology, the presented techniques are able to fully exploit the strengths of the meshless approach to achieve levels of automation, stability, and accuracy currently unseen in the area of engineering analysis. Specifically, MIMS implements a blended meshless solution approach which utilizes a variety of shape functions to obtain a stable and accurate iteration process. This solution approach is then integrated with a newly developed, highly adaptive model generation process which employs a quaternary triangular surface discretization for the boundary, a binary-subdivision discretization for the interior, and a unique shadow layer discretization for near-boundary regions. Together, these discretization techniques are able to achieve directionally independent, automatic refinement of the underlying model, allowing the method to generate accurate solutions without the need for intermediate human involvement. In addition, by coupling the model generation with the solution process, the presented method is able to address the issue of ill-constructed geometric input such as small features, poorly formed faces, and other such pathologies often generated from solid models in the course of design and in the end to provide an intuitive, yet powerful approach to solving modern engineering analysis problems. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved