Contours () define all geometric constraint points and lines required when creating an FE mesh. These are, for example:

• the outline of the area to be modeled,

• the geometric information required in the area, such as

• the course of water courses,

• the location of lakes and

• the exact location of wells.

 

Contours of a model

 

These constraint points and lines must be included as mesh nodes or element edges in the subsequent FE mesh and are summarised in the contour.

The contour is usually based on the structures that are necessary geometric constraints for mesh generation. The required components can be added by selecting them from the structure data (Contour New From Structure).

In principle, a distinction is made between

• I-contours,

• k-contours

• p-contours

 

I-contours are contour sections on which element edges are to be positioned later.

k-contours are sections like l-contours, but are used for the generation of 1D fracture elements. They are generated with the KLUFTI programme and, in addition to the same generation parameters provided for l-contours, also contain the thickness and opening width of the 1D fractures. In addition, k-contours are treated separately when generating boundary nodes.

p contours are contour points on which mesh nodes are to be located later.

The contours must be provided with parameters for further mesh generation (e.g. well parameters for exponential node generation around well nodes, maximum distances or division points for long line contours). The contour menu offers extensive editing and modification options for this purpose.

 

Nodes