Question

To discretize a domain using rectangular elements, if the aspect ratio is to be limited to 10, which dimension (mm) of rectangular element gives finest mesh?

(a) 1×0.5

(b) 1.1×0.1

(c) 0.11×0.01

(d) 0.1×0.05

This question was addressed to me in an internship interview.

My question is based upon Some Comments on Mesh Generation and Imposition of Boundary Conditions topic in chapter Single Variable Problems of Finite Element Method

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) 0.1×0.05

The best explanation: During discretization, when a mesh is made, care should be taken to avoid elements with very large aspect ratios (i.e. the ratio of one side of an element to the other). For a>b, if axb are dimension (mm) of rectangular element then it is given that a/b should not be more than 10. The smaller the element the finer is the mesh.