[vtk-developers] how to handle FEM data in VTK?

Will Schroeder will.schroeder at kitware.com
Tue Jul 8 07:07:39 EDT 2008


Please read the paper http://www.vtk.org/pdf/AdaptorFramework.pdf. This may
help shed light on the topic. The point is, rather than trying to shoehorn
FEM data structures into VTK (which is not pretty), you can build adaptors
from VTK to native FEM codes and data structures.
W

2008/7/3 Pierre JUILLARD <pierre.juillard at gmail.com>:

> Hi all,
>
> I would like to have information about the best way to handle FEM data in
> VTK file.
>
> Mainly, we use shell meshes (triangles or quadrangles) and the following
> data would be manipulated in VTK:
> - reduced element or fully integrated (1 or 4 integration point in the
> neutral fibre)
> - different integration point over thickness per element (1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
> 11, ...)
> - different integration algorithms over thickness (GAUSS, SIMPSON, ....)
> defining different weight and locations of these integration points over
> thickness
> - stress tensor at each integration point over thickness
> - strain tensor at each integration point over thickness
> - effective plastic strain at each integration point over thickness
> - thickness at each integration point in the neutral fibre
> and possibly additional results per integration points...
>
> This topic seems to have already been tackled.
> Indeed, I have read several posts about the vtkLSDynaReader class, as well
> as its documentation on
> http://public.kitware.com/VTK/doc/nightly/html/classvtkLSDynaReader.html
>
> As it is indicated in one of the post, the ultimate goal would be to
> benefit from vtk format/library to manipulate FEM data, and  from ParaView
> as PostProcessor
>
> However, from these posts, it seems that VTK is not really fitted to store
> FEM data, and for such a purpose, a good knowledge in VTK is necessary. It
> may also be necessary to extend it.
>
> Most notably, it seems currently possible to have only one scalar field,
> vector field, and tensor field per element. In the last VTK versions, has
> this "limitation" been overriden?
> Is it possible to store several fields of different types per element?
>
> Would you have some advices about the best way to proceed?
> Is there somewhere some guidelines/tutorials?
>
> It the VTK format has still some limitations, is it foreseen to override
> them in the next release?
>
> I thank you for your help.
>
> Cheers,
>
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> vtk-developers at vtk.org
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>
>


-- 
William J. Schroeder, PhD
Kitware, Inc.
28 Corporate Drive
Clifton Park, NY 12065
will.schroeder at kitware.com
http://www.kitware.com
518-371-3971 (phone and fax)
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