(Using ICEM 10.0SP2 and CFX10.0SP1)

I have propably transferred meshes from ICEM to CFX a thousand times. But suddenly I was unable to import my new structured mesh, created with standard 3D blocking.

Any tips on how to interpret the following error message, which I get from CFX when reading the mesh file?

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ERROR

There was a problem importing the mesh from the requested file.

The importing process reported the following problem:

Unable to import mesh: Invalid local face number (0) for element 110460 in 2D region ULL.

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(I do not have any region called "ULL")

No idea. But I have yet to find an ICEM->CFX error that wasnt somehow my own fault.

If you upload the ICEM files I can try them on my system.

"ull" sounds like a shortened form of "null".

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http://rapidshare.de/files/35264499/jm60-85.zip.html

(Cluttered page, sorry... Go for the "Free" download and wait a short while...)

I have reduced the edge counts to give a very manageable project, the error is independent of mesh size.

I get exactly the same error. Probably your bow block structure, which is rather funky.

Check mesh doesnt flag any errors ...

True. I have narrowed it down now: Any time I create a prism-shaped block in ICEM I get the same error. Strangely enough I have imported grids from other meshers where prism blocks where used without problems

And yes, the error message region name has the first character missing, the "ULL" is actually "HULL", not "NULL"

Are you merging vertices to create the prism block?

I think the triangular block in front of your boat is the error source. If you read the log file, you may notice that ICEM warns you about some elements have node twice. I suggest you to create an O-block type topology around your geometry to get rid of the triangular block.

Cheers, TB

Yes.

Shure. It is just that since the actual geometry has a prismatic topology, a prism block fits it much better.

If you look at the block on top of the structure - you have 2 triangular faces - and 4 quad faces - but it's not a prism. The two triangular faces meet at a common apex. I'm guessing this is the problem - what kind of element is that? Not a hex, not a prism, not a tet. (So you'll also have elements that shape right at that shared vertex.) I'm not sure what kind of topology CFX will accept - but I'm guessing not that. You may want to try this by writing the structured mesh - then converting to unstructured. This will have duplicate nodes at those odd places - but may work. (You may have to un-merge those block vertices first.)

Yes but your approach will generate error in which CFX can't read your mesh properly. Sometimes you just have to adapt your block in the way that the software are willing to take your mesh. Update me if you tackle this problem. I'll be interested to know if it's possible to do it your way.

Well, I gave up on "my way" and made a face that wraps the bow. It had to be spilt a couple of times to get a decent mesh which made the overall structure slightly more complex than it would have been with a prism topology, but the mesh is good so I am content.