elementscurved

elementscurved is a concept used in computational geometry and computer-aided design to denote a class of representations in which basic geometric elements are associated with curved, high-order mappings rather than flat, linear approximations. The term is often encountered in discussions of mesh generation and surface modeling.

Etymology and scope: The name combines "elements", referring to nodes, edges, and faces in a mesh, with "curved" to emphasize the use of curved geometry. In practice, elementscurved describes both the mathematical basis functions and the geometry mapping that produce curved element shapes.

Technical description: Elementscurved meshes employ high-order interpolation or spline-based basis functions that map reference elements to curved physical space. This approach improves boundary conformity and geometric fidelity on curved domains, supporting methods such as isogeometric analysis, NURBS-based meshes, and T-splines. It requires careful handling of integration, mesh quality, and compatibility with existing solver pipelines.

Applications: The concept is used in finite element analysis for aerodynamic surfaces, automotive body panels, biomedical implants, architectural shells, and any scenario where curved boundaries reduce geometric error. It also informs procedural geometry generation in computer graphics and CAD workflows that demand smooth surface representation.

Comparison and relation: Elementscurved is related to curved finite elements and isogeometric analysis. It differs from traditional linear meshes by prioritizing geometric exactness over element count, often trading some computational efficiency for higher accuracy on curved geometries.

See also: curved finite elements, NURBS, B-splines, isogeometric analysis, T-splines. References: Conceptual discussions appear in literature on curved elements and isogeometric methods; practical implementations are present in CAD and FE tool documentation.