Volume visualization of 3D finite element method results

Abstract

This paper describes a method for visualizing the output data set of a 3D finite element method result. A linear tetrahedral element is used as a primitive for the visualization processing, and a 3D finite element model is subdivided into a set of these primitives, which are generated at every solid element. With these primitives, isosurfaces are visualized semitransparently from scalar data at each node point. Two methods are developed for the visualization of isosurfaces with and without intermediate geometries. The methods are applied to output data sets from some simulation results of a semiconductor chip. These are visualized, and the effectiveness of the method is discussed.