Significance of mesh intensity and target plate length, and the relationship between the two variables

Hi everyone,

I would like to inquire what is the significance of mesh intensity in joint meshing. In the Utilities manual, section 3.2.3, the following highlighted statements are made (see screenshot below):

Which lead to these questions:

  1. What is the meaning of target plate length, E? I am aware it does not refer to the length of the member to be meshed, so I am in doubt as to what E means. A visual representation would be helpful.
  2. As the mesh intensity, M, would divide the target plate length, E by M, is it right to say that E/M is the number of meshed elements?
  3. Since the higher the mesh intensity M, the finer the mesh, I infer that mesh intensity and mesh size are not the same thing. Hence, what's the relationship between mesh size and mesh intensity?

Thank you.

Regards.

Kay Thi

  • 1. Target plate length E is the target length of a side of the plate mesh that is generated by joint mesher.

    2. No, The mesh intensity divides the target element size by M so the number of elements is increased by M^2. Consider an M of 3:

    The number of elements is no 1 * (3^2) = 9. This is obviously going to be approximated depending upon the geometry of the mesh and if brace intersection subdivision factors are used.

    3. The new target plate length is E/M.

    Regards,

    Geoff