How to Use the Split Option in ANSA For Better Mesh Flow

There are many mesh improvement tools available in ANSA. The Split tool is one of them. In ANSA GUI, the Split option can be found under ELEMENTS in the MESH deck. (Refer below image)

The Functions of the Split Option in ANSA

The Split command is used to divide a Quad element into two Tria or Quad elements.

• Basically, the Split command is used by three methods.
  1) Split by Nodes
  2) Split by Edges
  3) Split by both Nodes and Edges

Let's understand these methods with examples.

Method 1: Split by Nodes

This method uses two nodes to split one Quad element into two Tria elements. Refer to the below Image for an explanation.G

                                            Image 2: Split by Nodes demonstration

Let’s take another example and see how Split by Nodes option can be used to eliminate Quad elements. Refer to the below image for an explanation.

                                                           Image 3: Split by Nodes demonstration

Important: 

1. The Join option is used to remove the edge and to convert two side-by-side Tria into Quad elements.
2. The Join option can also be performed by the Split option with a right mouse click. 
3. The Smooth option must be used after using any Mesh optimization tools. It will smoothen the mesh flow by adjusting the nodes.

Method 2: Split by Edges

This method uses Edge to split one Quad element into two Quad elements. Refer to the below Image for an explanation.

                                                     Image 4: Split by Edges demonstration

Note:

• To perform the Split option, Do Left click on the edges and then Confirm the action by pressing the scroll button of the mouse. Always perform a Smooth option after Splitting edges for better Mesh quality.
• Let’s take another example and see how the Split by Edges option can be used to eliminate Tria elements. Refer to the below image for an explanation.

                                                  Image 5: Split by Edges demonstration

Method 3: Split by both Nodes and Edges

This method is a combination of the above methods. It uses two nodes to split one Quad element into two Tria elements followed by the splitting of Edge. Refer to the below image for explanation.

                                    Image 6: Split by both Nodes and Edges demonstration

Let’s take another example and see how the Split by Nodes and Edges option can be used to eliminate Rotating Quad and Tria elements. Refer to below image for an explanation.

                                                   Image 7: Split by both Nodes and Edges demonstration

Important:

1. The selection of the method will be totally dependent on the Mesh orientation.
2. Every time you use the Split tool, it is advisable to use a smooth option for better Mesh flow.