Nodes and Elements

A finite element mesh divides the geometry into smaller regions called elements. Nodes define the element geometry and hold the primary unknowns, such as displacement components.

Elements approximate the displacement field using shape functions. The quality of this approximation depends on element type, element order, element shape, and mesh density.

A finer mesh can capture local gradients more accurately, but it increases computational cost. A coarser mesh solves faster but may miss stress concentrations, bending behavior, or geometric details.