Step 2: Setting the Mesh Parameters

A relatively large Global mesh size will be defined to allow for coarser mesh away from the fuselage. The surface of the helicopter body requires finer mesh. Finally, prisms will be enabled to better capture boundary layer effects.

  1. Assign the global mesh sizes.

    Mesh > Global Mesh Setup   > Global Mesh Size  

    1. Retain the value of 1 for Scale factor.

    2. Enter 1024 for Max element.

      The value for Max element is chosen to be 1024 because it is a power of two which is important for Octree mesh generation.

    3. Click Apply.

  2. Specify the global prism meshing parameters.

    Mesh > Global Mesh Setup   > Prism Meshing Parameters  

    1. Set Height ratio to 1.2 and Number of layers to 4.

    2. Set Prism height limit factor to 1.

    3. Scroll to the bottom and click Advanced Prism Meshing Parameters.

      Enable Auto Reduction in the dialog box.

    4. Click Apply and then Dismiss.

  3. Set surface mesh parameters on the helicopter body parts.

    Mesh > Surface Mesh Setup  

    1. Click   (Select surface(s)) and then select the entire helicopter body.

      You may find the box select tool useful for this. It may also help to turn off the FARFIELD and FLUID parts in the Display tree.

    2. Set the Maximum size to 64.

    3. Click Apply.