Meshing
The finite-element meshes generated by EverFE are rectilinear. The number of elements in the x-direction for each column of slabs, and in the y-direction for each row of slabs, are specified independently. In addition, the number of elements through the thickness of the slab and each elastic base/subgrade layer are also user-specified. However, the number of elements through the slab thickness may be limited by the simulation of a bilinear or trilinear thermal gradient. While in the meshing panel, the white lines overlaid on the slab plan and elevation views show the element divisions corresponding to the current finite-element mesh.
The ability to independently specify the number of element divisions in each row and column can be very useful when modeling adjacent slabs or shoulders which are not of primary interest, since using fewer elements for these portions of the model can save significant computing time. Mesh refinement is an important topic, and several examples are covered under meshing examples. In addition, the example covered in the first tutorial also addresses mesh refinement.
EverFE computes the maximum element aspect ratio, which is displayed in blue text at the bottom of the input panel. This value should be kept to less than five to minimize mesh distortion errors and computational time. Exceeding this value in slab and shoulder units of secondary interests where stresses and displacements are not of interest is acceptable, but large values will slow computation time. An estimate of the amount of memory needed for a given simulation is also provided, and must be less than your computer's available RAM during the entire simulation.