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The finite element method has become the most widely used method of structural analysis and recently, the method has often been applied to complex dynamic and nonlinear structural analyses problems. Even for these complex problems, where the responses are hard to predict, finite element analyses yield reliable results if appropriate element types and meshes are used. However, the dynamic and nonlinear behaviors of a structure often include large deformations in various portions of the structure and if the same mesh is used throughout the analysis, some elements may deform to shapes beyond the reliable limits; thus dynamically adapting finite element meshes are needed in order for the finite element analyses to be accurate. In addition, to satisfy the users requirement of quick real run time of finite element programs, the algorithms must be computationally efficient. This paper presents an adaptive finite element mesh generation scheme for dynamic analyses of structures that may adapt at each time step. Representative strain values are used for error estimates and combinations of the h-method(node movement) and the r-method(element division) are used for mesh refinements. A coefficient that depends on the shape of an element is used to limit overly distorted elements. A simple frame example shows the accuracy and computational efficiency of the scheme. The aim of the study is to outline the adaptive scheme and to demonstrate the potential use in general finite element analyses of dynamic and nonlinear structural problems commonly encountered.

In structural design and analysis used for hazard mitigation systems, automation is becoming an essential feature. For analysis, the finite element method has proven to be an effective approximate method if proper element types and meshes are chosen. Recently, the method has been successfully applied to solve complex dynamic and nonlinear problems; and with a properly chosen element type and mesh, reliable results have been obtained. However, in automation and in complex analyses of a structures, using the initial mesh throughout the analysis may involve some elements to go through strains beyond the elements' reliable limits. Thus, the finite element mesh for these types of analyses must be dynamically adaptive, and considering the rapid process of analysis in real time, the dynamically adaptive finite element mesh generating schemes must be computationally efficient. In this paper, a computationally efficient dynamically adaptive finite element mesh generation scheme for dynamic analyses of planar problems is described. The concept of representative strain value is used for error estimates and the refinements of meshes use combinations of the h-method (node movement) and the r-method (element division). A coefficient that depends on shape of elements is used to correct overly distorted elements. The validity of the scheme is shown by a deep cantilever beam example under a dynamic concentrated load. The example shows reasonable accuracy and efficient computing time. Furthermore, the study shows the potential for the scheme's effective use in complex structural problems such as those under severe environmental hazards such as seismic or erratic wind loads.

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