3D Solid Extrusion of Pipe - Meshing

[JT100]

I've modelled a section of pipe as a 3d solid extrusion. It is a 20m long section and hence I want to vary the mesh density along the length of the pipe (z axis). I've tried partitioning the pipe section using datum planes (x-y) at various points along the length as well as a partition along the length of the pipe (z axis). I thought this would then enable me to have an internal edge through the pipe wall thickness at each point i applied the datum plane partition. I could then have various numbers of elements through the thickness at each datum plane (and along the axial length if required). However, I have found that by manually seeding this edge through the wall thickness it simply applies these seeds throughout the length of the pipe (i.e. if i seed 5 elements through the wall thickness at one end of the pipe, it then automatically applies 5 elements through the thickness at each of the datum plane partitions. Could anyone advise me on a better meshing technique/approach for a solid extrusion of a pipe. Thanks

 

[corus]

For such a long length of pipe I'd question why you are using solid elements rather than shell elements, however the problem you have is that with a structured mesh then you can't change the number of elements through the thickness. Perhaps one way round this would be to have various lengths of pipe that are separate and tied together at their intersection. That way you could change the number of elements through the thickness where ever you wanted. The disadvantage with this method is that you can get odd results at the tied surfaces as Abaqus matches the calculated displacements by interpolation, so make these positions away from areas of interest.