Toward mixed-element meshing based on restricted Voronoi diagrams

In this paper we propose a method to generate mixed-element meshes (tetrahedra, triangular prisms, square pyramids) for B-Rep models. The vertices, edges, facets, and cells of the final volumetric mesh are determined from the combinatorial analysis of the intersections between the model components and the Voronoi diagram of sites distributed to sample the model. Inside the volumetric regions, Delaunay tetrahedra dual of the Voronoi diagram are built. Where the intersections of the Voronoi cells with the model surfaces have a unique connected component, tetrahedra are modified to fit the input triangulated surfaces. Where these intersections are more complicated, a correspondence between the elements of the Voronoi diagram and the elements of the mixed-element mesh is used to build the final volumetric mesh. The method which was motivated by meshing challenges encountered in geological modeling is demonstrated on several 3D synthetic models of subsurface rock volumes. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.