Conferences, 17th International Conference on Computational Methods

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Consistent non-conforming mesh coupling via area regularization node-to-segment contact algorithm based on cell-based smoothed finite element method
Jingui Zhao, Jinhui Zhao, Shuhao Huo, Yunxuan Xiao

Last modified: 2026-08-06

Abstract


This work presents a robust framework for treating non-conforming interfaces in solid mechanics, leveraging the cell-based smoothed finite element method (CS-FEM) to inherently alleviate issues caused by mesh distortion. A penalty-based node-to-segment (NTS) scheme is developed with an embedded area regularization technique, which enables stable coupling of interfaces regardless of mesh resolution mismatch. By recalibrating the penalty weight through an equivalence principle, the interfacial coupling force is properly corrected, allowing the formulation to satisfy the interface patch test—a consistency requirement that conventional penalty NTS approaches typically fail. Force transfer from slave nodes to master nodes is further redistributed according to the projection area of each slave node on the master segment, guaranteeing local segment-wise equilibrium. Notably, the definition of master and slave boundaries is decoupled from the relative mesh densities of the two sides, and the method introduces no extra degrees of freedom. The discrete stiffness matrix is assembled using only shape function values, eliminating the need for shape function derivative calculations or coordinate transformations. Numerical examples covering a wide range of non-conforming mesh configurations demonstrate that the proposed strategy successfully connects meshes with heavily distorted elements, delivering superior robustness for multi-patch mesh integration.

 


Keywords


Smoothed finite element method, S-FEM; Stable nodal integration; Lanczos algorithm; Modal superposition method; Modal analysis

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