Enhance Gmsh import functionality

[nikoscham]

This issue has been added to the FEAScript roadmap for the upcoming 0.2.0 release (https://github.com/orgs/FEAScript/discussions/17). Currently, the GMSH reader only supports quadrilateral elements. We propose extending support to triangular elements, which are widely used in 2D finite element simulations due to their flexibility in meshing complex geometries. The relevant function is located in gmshReaderScript.js (https://github.com/FEAScript/FEAScript-core/blob/main/src/readers/gmshReaderScript.js).

Tasks

• Extend support to triangular elements
• Integrate this feature with existing solvers

[Dagimassefa]

Hi @nikoscham ,
I’m interested in extending the GMSH reader to support triangular elements and integrating it with the existing solvers.

[nikoscham]

Hi @nikoscham , I’m interested in extending the GMSH reader to support triangular elements and integrating it with the existing solvers.

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the project @Dagimassefa! Adding support for triangular elements will be a very valuable feature for the library. Until now only quadrilateral elements are supported (see e.g. this example). I’ll get back to you soon with some extra instructions regarding the task!

Best regards and please also consider ⭐️ the library!
Nikos

[nikoscham]

Hi @Dagimassefa! Here are some guidelines to help you tackle this task.

1. Review the Gmsh import function

• Familiarize yourself with gmshReaderScript.js: https://github.com/FEAScript/FEAScript-core/blob/main/src/readers/gmshReaderScript.js.
• Understand how quadrilateral elements are currently processed.
• Identify how element types are detected and handled. The Gmsh documentation may also be useful.
• Test importing a Gmsh mesh that uses triangular elements. To generate the .msh file, you can use this .geo file, but make sure to comment out the line: Recombine Surface{1};.

2. Update numericalIntegrationScript.js

• Implement appropriate integration points and weights for both linear and quadratic triangular elements (see this link).

3. Implement Basis Functions for Triangular Elements

• Implement shape functions for linear (3 nodes) and quadratic (6 nodes) triangular elements (see the same link).

4. Integration with Solvers

• Ensure existing solvers (e.g. the 2D cooling fin example) can handle triangular elements.

Please do what you can. If you cannot complete everything 100% that’s totally fine! Just push as far as you can and we can continue or review together.

Thanks a lot for your work on this!

[agrim317]

Hi @nikoscham ,
I’m interested in working on this issue. If it’s still open and not currently being worked on, could you please assign it to me?

[nikoscham]

Hi @agrim317! Thanks for your interest in contributing to the project.
@Dagimassefa, just checking — are you still working on this issue? If not, we can reassign it to @agrim317 to keep progress moving.

[nikoscham]

Hey @Dagimassefa. Just a reminder that Hacktoberfest is wrapping up soon (October 31st). You can always contribute after Hacktoberfest, but you might miss out on their rewards. All the best