Abstract: A list of element edges can be initialized after partitioning surface boundary, and then new elements can be generated alternately from the element edges in the list. To locate a new node based on the element edge with which a new element is to be constructed, a point set is generated oriented to a segment or a circle directed by a vector along which new node is suitable to be decided. The suitable point in the set or a suitable node existing in current mesh is selected to construct new element with that element edge. The mesh topological compatibility of the new element is checked with the corresponding mesh in the parameter field of the surface. With the alternate generation of new node, new element edge and new element, surface finite element mesh is generated successfully as a result. To generated adaptive mesh, an information field is built after programming mesh density information in the key areas. It is used to decide the size of new element dynamically according to the location of the element edge from which the new element is to be constructed.

Key words: Adaptive, Finite element, Mesh generation, Surface