High performance adaptive finite elementmodeling of complex CAD geometry

Abstract: CAD (Computer Aided Design) and finite elementanalysis are of fundamental importance for numerical simulations. The generalapproach is to design a model using CAD software, create a mesh of a domainthat includes this model and use finite element analysis to perform simulationson that mesh. When using more advanced simulation techniques, like adaptivefinite element methods, it is more and more desired to use CAD information, notonly for the creation of the initial mesh but also during the simulation. Inthis thesis, an approach is presented how to use CAD data during adaptive mesh refinementin a finite element simulation. An error indicator is presented to find theelements in a mesh, which need to be improved for a better geometricapproximation and it is shown how to integrate the different approaches into anexisting high performance finite element solver