Mesh Deformation Using

Radial Basis Functions

Neil Matula
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Texas A&M University

1876

November 13, 2012

Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Outline

Introduction
Problem Statement
Spring Analogy
Comparison

Theory
Definition
Interpolation
Constraints
Matrix Formulation
Evaluation

Results
RBF vs. Spring

Conclusion

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Mesh Deformation Using Radial Basis Functions

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Problem Statement

In aeroelastic simulations, geometry changes after

application of structural solver.
Two options:
Remesh - Guarantees a high quality mesh, but expensive.
Deform Mesh - Cheap, but does not guarantee a quality
mesh.

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

The Spring Analogy

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Edges and angles replaced with fictitious linear and

torsional springs
Move boundary, get equilibrium
Guarantees a certain amount of quality
Trouble with certain meshes and large deflections

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Comparison

Connectivity
Mesh Type
Computation
Quality Enforced

Neil Matula

Spring
Used
Unstructured
Expensive
Yes

TFI
Used
Structured
Cheap
No

Mesh Deformation Using Radial Basis Functions

RBF
Not Used
Either
Medium
No

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Definition
A radial basis function (RBF) is a function of distance from the
origin. They are frequently used to build function
approximations (hence, basis function). Some commonly used
RBFs with global support are the following:
Name
Thin Plate Spline
Multiquadratic Biharmonics
Inverse Multiquadratic Biharmonics
Quadratic Biharmonics
Inverse Quadratic Biharmonics
Gaussian

Neil Matula

Mesh Deformation Using Radial Basis Functions

Function
x2 log(x)

a2 + x2
1
a2 +x2
2

1+x
1
1+x2
x2

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Interpolation
We seek to interpolate the displacements of discrete boundary
nodes to the interior of the domain using the following:
s(x) =

N
X

i (ri ) + h(x)

i=1

h(x) = 1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 z
ri = ||x xi ||
x = (x y z)T
x
xi
ri

s
i
N
h

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Position
Position of boundary node i
Distance between the current position and boundary node i
Radial basis function
The interpolated displacement (scalar)
Linear polynomial coefficients
Number of boundary nodes
Linear polynomial

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Constraints

We have the following two constraints to determine the

necessary coefficients:

Neil Matula

s(xi ) = d(xi ), i = 1..N

This indicates that we want to recover exactly the
displacements on the boundary.
PN
T
i=1 i (1, xi , yi , zi ) = 0
This states that all polynomials of degree less than or equal
to h are interpolated exactly.

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Matrix Formulation
We can assemble these constraints into a linear system in the
following manner:

PT

Mij = kxi xj k

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!
=

1
1

P = .
..

x1
x2
..
.

y1
y2
..
.

z1
z2

..
.

1 xN

yN

zN

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Evaluation

This [N + 4] [N + 4] matrix equation can be solved for

coefficient vectors and . Then all mesh points on interior
can be evaluated using
s(x) =

N
X

i (ri ) + 1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 z

i=1

Since s(x) is scalar-valued function, each of three displacement

directions must be treated separately.

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

RBF vs. Spring

Radial Basis Functions

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Spring Analogy

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion
The spring algorithm produces superior mesh quality in
general.

Under certain circumstances, such as large deflections and

poor starting meshes, RBF will perform better.

RBF is also cheap and applicable to various mesh types.

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Introduction

Theory

Results

Conclusion

Questions?

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