AFLR3 Overview
AFLR3 is an unstructured tetrahedral element mesh generation code. It uses the Advancing-Front/Local-Reconnection (AFLR) procedure to generate a tetrahedral volume mesh from an existing surface triangulation. In boundary-layer (BL) generation mode it also uses the Advancing-Normal Boundary-Layer (ANBL) procedure to generate a tetrahedral, pentahedral, and/or hexahedral BL mesh adjacent to BL generating surfaces. Primary input is a surface triangulation. The input mesh file contains the coordinates and connectivity for a fully connected surface triangulation.
The following is a simple summary of usage with options. For more information, see Usage Summary for a summary of options and default values and Option Details for a detailed description of all options.
aflr3 [input_arg_file_name] [aflr3_param_options]
PARAMETER NAME DESCRIPTION
________________________ _____________________________________________________
PROGRAM CONTROL & I/O PARAMETERS
-File_Status_Monitor : Turn on file status monitor.
-Memory_Monitor : Turn on memory monitor.
-Memory_Monitor2 : Turn on memory monitor.
-backgen3 : Generate background grid and length-scale function data.
-build : List program version build number.
-h : List summary of input parameters.
-h_all : List summary of all input parameters.
-h_io : List summary of file I/O parameters.
-help : List documentation of input parameters.
-help_all : List documentation of all input parameters.
-help_io : List documentation of file I/O parameters.
-out : Generate an output file.
-log : Generate an output file.
-out_a : Append an output file.
-log_a : Append an output file.
-outf : Send output to a file only.
-logf : Send output to a file only.
-outf_a : Append output to a file only.
-logf_a : Append output to a file only.
-ver : List program version number.
-version : List program version information.
Help_Flag : List documentation of input parameters.
Help_UG_IO_Flag : List documentation of file I/O parameters.
Output_File_Flag : Output file flag.
-v : Use executable in specified directory.
Arg_File_Name : Input argument file name.
-arg : Input argument file name.
Input_Grid_File_Name : Case name or input grid file name.
-i -igrid -case : Case name or input grid file name.
Output_Grid_File_Name : Output grid file name or suffix.
-o -ogrid : Output grid file name or suffix.
TMP_File_Dir : Temporary file directory.
-tmp : Temporary file directory.
FLAG PARAMETERS (OFTEN USED)
-bcheck : Check boundary surface mesh.
-bl : Generate a BL grid suitable for CFD.
-blc : Generate a BL grid suitable for CFD and create prism elements.
-blc2 : Generate a BL grid suitable for CFD and create prism/split-hex elements.
-blc3 : Generate a BL grid suitable for CFD and create prism/hex elements.
-blcheck : Check BL parameters and input surface grid.
-bls : Generate a BL grid from specified surfaces.
-ice : Generate an interior core mesh with varying element size.
-ice1 : Generate an interior core mesh with uniform element size.
-snsc : Generate a SNS grid and create prismatic elements.
-snsc2 : Generate a SNS grid and create prism/split-hex elements.
-snsc3 : Generate a SNS grid and create prism/split-hex elements.
-y+ : Specify turbulent BL y+ for determining the initial spacing normal.
OPTION PARAMETERS (OFTEN USED)
BL_IDs : List of IDs for BL Generating Solid surfaces.
-bl_ids : List of IDs for BL Generating Solid surfaces.
BL_Int_IDs : List of IDs for BL Intersecting surfaces.
-bl_ints -bl_int_ids -ints -int_ids : List of IDs for BL Intersecting surfaces.
FF_IDs : List of IDs to for FarField surfaces.
-ffs -ff_ids : List of IDs to for FarField surfaces.
Fixed_BL_Int_IDs : List of IDs for BL Intersecting surfaces.
-fints -fbl_ints -fbl_int_ids : List of IDs for BL Intersecting surfaces.
PS_IDs : ID pairs for periodic surfaces.
-psids : ID pairs for periodic surfaces.
Std_IDs : List of IDs to for Solid surfaces.
-stds -std_ids : List of IDs to for Solid surfaces.
Trnsp_BL_IDs : List of IDs for BL Generating Transparent surfaces.
-trnsp_bl_ids : List of IDs for BL Generating Transparent surfaces.
Trnsp_BL_Int_IDs : List of IDs for BL Intersecting Transparent surfaces.
-trnsp_bl_int_ids : List of IDs for BL Intersecting Transparent surfaces.
Trnsp_IDs : List of IDs for Transparent surfaces.
-trnsp_ids : List of IDs for Transparent surfaces.
Trnsp_Intl_BL_IDs : List of IDs for BL Generating Internal Transparent surfaces.
-trnsp_intl_bl_ids : List of IDs for BL Generating Internal Transparent surfaces.
Trnsp_Intl_IDs : List of IDs for Internal Transparent surfaces.
-trnsp_intl_ids : List of IDs for Internal Transparent surfaces.
Trnsp_Src_IDs : List of IDs for Transparent Source surfaces.
-trnsp_src_ids : List of IDs for Transparent Source surfaces.
m_ice : Interior core (ICE) mesh flag.
mblend : BL termination flag.
NUMERIC PARAMETERS (OFTEN USED)
cdfrbl : BL geometric growth rate.
-blr : BL geometric growth rate.
cdfrblm : Maximum BL geometric growth rate.
-blrm : Maximum BL geometric growth rate.
dsdef : BL initial normal spacing.
-blds : BL initial normal spacing.
refx : Reference length.
STRING PARAMETERS (OFTEN USED)
BG_Case_Name : Case name for background grid and function file names.
-ib -iback -bcase : Case name for background grid and function file names.
FLAG PARAMETERS (SOMETIMES USED)
-backgen : Generate background grid and length-scale function files.
-backgen2 : Generate a background grid and length-scale function internally.
-bldelmax : Set BL thickness equal to the maximum BL thickness.
-blpr : Protect the BL region by reducing the field spacing.
-convert : Read input grid file and write output grid file.
-ext : Use external sizing routine.
-igen : Generate an initial triangulation only.
-met2 : Use metric space with advancing-front point placement.
-met3 : Use metric space with advancing-point point placement.
-no_back : Do not read background grid and length-scale function files.
-no_bldel : Ignore BL thickness specified.
-no_psdata : Do not read PSDATA file.
-no_source : Do not use sources.
-no_vol_id : Do not set volume element ID flag.
-no_vid : Do not set volume element ID flag.
-open : Generate an open BL region grid for a closed domain.
-open2 : Generate an open BL region grid for an open domain.
-qall : Generate volume grid quality data for all quality measures.
-qchk : Read input grid file and generate element quality measure information.
-qnone : Do not generate any volume grid quality data.
-qsall : Generate surface grid quality data for all quality measures.
-qsnone : Do not generate any surface grid quality data.
-qstat : Read input grid file and generate quality statistics.
-revbl : Reverse BL normals for and open BL region grid with an open domain.
-sns : Generate a specified normal spacing (SNS) grid.
-snss : Set specified normal spacing distribution.
-tags : Use tags data file.
-vid1 : Set volume element region ID flag.
-vid2 : Set volume element region and BL layer ID flag.
OPTION PARAMETERS (SOMETIMES USED)
BC_IDs : List of IDs to set grid BC parameters.
bc_ids : List of IDs to set grid BC parameters.
GQ_Surf_Measure_Flag : Surface grid quality measure flag.
-qs : Surface grid quality measure flag.
GQ_Surf_Output_Flag : Surface grid quality output flag.
GQ_Vol_Measure_Flag : Volume grid quality measure flag.
-q : Volume grid quality measure flag.
GQ_Vol_Output_Flag : Volume grid quality output flag.
Grid_BC_Flag : List of grid BC flags to set.
bc_list : List of grid BC flags to set.
PSDATA_File_Flag : Control reading of PSDATA file.
iblri : Number of constant spacing BL layers.
-bli : Number of constant spacing BL layers.
malign : Metric alignment flag.
mbcheck : Boundary surface mesh check flag.
mblchkv : BL element volume checking flag.
mblelc : BL element combination flag.
mmet : Metric space flag.
mmetblbl : BL blending.
mnbllim : Number of BL layers limiting flag.
mquadp : Quad-Pyramid transition flag.
msource : Source option flag.
mw_met_hist : Output flag for metric space analysis information.
nbl : Maximum BL grid layers to generate.
nbldiff : Maximum difference in BL levels.
NUMERIC PARAMETERS (SOMETIMES USED)
BL_DEL : Surface patch BL thickness.
BL_DS : Surface patch initial BL normal spacing.
PS_TMs : Periodic surface rotation matrix list.
PS_XPS0s : Periodic surface translation vector list.
SNS : Specified normal spacing distribution.
blre : Reference Reynolds number.
-Re : Reference Reynolds number.
blyp : Normalized BL normal spacing.
cdfrsns : SNS geometric growth rate.
-snsr : SNS geometric growth rate.
cdsnbl : Initial BL spacing layer limit ratio.
deldef : BL thickness.
-bldel : BL thickness.
FLAG PARAMETERS (SELDOM USED)
-blreseti : Reset initial normal spacing and/or BL thickness.
-rm_transp : Remove boundary face connectivity of standard transparent surfaces.
-sl : Generate a structured-layer grid (SL) grid.
-slc : Generate a structured-layer (SL) grid and create prismatic elements.
-slc2 : Generate a structured-layer (SL) grid and create prism/split-hex elements.
-slc3 : Generate a structured-layer (SL) grid and create prism/hex elements.
-snsi : Specify surface IDs for SNS spacing groups.
-snsids : Generate a SNS grid from specified surfaces.
OPTION PARAMETERS (SELDOM USED)
Rec_IDs : List of IDs to reset Reconnection flag.
-rec_ids : List of IDs to reset Reconnection flag.
Split_File_Format : Split data file format flag.
-split : Split data file format flag.
mbl : BL grid flag.
mblchki : BL parameter and surface check flag.
mbldelmax : BL thickness flag.
mblfinal : BL final layer flag.
mblidsmth : BL surface ID smoothing flag.
mbltype : BL type flag.
mchkvoli : Input grid volume check flag.
mdfblminm : BL isotropic length scale limiting flag.
mdflim : Distribution function limiting flag.
mdfs : Quality field sliver deletion flag.
mopen : Open BL region grid generation flag.
mqrgen : Quality improvement re-generation flag.
mrecrbf : Global boundary face reconnection flag.
mrevbl : BL normal direction flag.
msave_df : Distribution function (length scale) save flag.
msave_ieliel : Tet element neighbor connectivity save flag.
msave_met : Distribution function (length scale) save flag.
mtransp : Transparent boundary face flag.
nblsmth : BL normal vector smoothing iterations.
NUMERIC PARAMETERS (SELDOM USED)
angblqmax : Maximum BL dihedral element angle.
angblqmaxd : Maximum discontinuous BL dihedral angle.
angblqmaxd2 : Maximum convex disc. BL dihedral angle.
angqbfq : Maximum quad face angle for hexs.
cbldsm : BL sub-layer spacing multiplier.
cblmnr : Maximum normal-direction-aspect-ratio.
cblmnrmin : Minimum normal-direction-aspect-ratio.
cdf : Distribution function multiplier.
cdf2 : Distribution function multiplier #2.
cdfrsl : SL geometric growth rate.
-slr : SL geometric growth rate.
cdfs : Distribution function exclusion zone.
cdfslm : SL initial normal spacing multiplier.
-slf : SL initial normal spacing multiplier.
dcdfrbl : BL geometric growth acceleration rate.
-bldr : BL geometric growth acceleration rate.
FLAG PARAMETERS (RARELY USED)
-blauto : Automatically calculate growth rate parameters or BL thickness.
-blf : Specify fraction of laminar BL thickness for initial spacing.
-blgs : Specify surfaces to be grouped for BL streamwise variation.
-grow : Use specified growth in element size.
-grow1 : Use moderate growth in element size.
-grow2 : Use high growth in element size.
-grow3 : Use very high growth in element size.
-quadp : Use pyramids to transition from quad faces.
-sls : Generate a structured-layer (SL) grid from specified surfaces.
-transp : Do not convert source type transparent surfaces.
OPTION PARAMETERS (RARELY USED)
BG_Flag : Background grid and length-scale function file flag.
BLG_IDs : List of IDs for BL groups.
Message_Flag : Message flag.
mmsg : Message flag.
Number_of_BLs : Limit on BL layers to be generated.
Rec_Flag : List of reconnection flags to reset.
SNS_IDs : List of specified spacing groups IDs.
Set_Vol_ID_Flag : Set volume element ID flag.
Tags_Data_File_Flag : Tags data file flag.
Write_BL_Only : BL element output flag.
Write_Interior : Interior elements output flag.
m_qvrrchk : Quality function Q (based on vol/radius ratio) output flag.
m_volrchk : Output volume ratio check flag.
mblauto : BL auto-parameter flag.
mblreseti : BL initial normal spacing reset flag.
mbv_mode : Boundary normal vector mode.
mchkvol : Final element volume check flag.
mdbs : Boundary sliver deletion flag.
mdf : Distribution function flag.
mdfb : BL interface distribution function flag.
mdsblf : BL spacing thickness factor option.
mdsblfisf : Fixed BL face spacing smoothing option.
mdse : Small edge deletion flag.
melem : Maximum number of elements.
meval : External evaluation option flag.
minlpp : Initial centroid node placement flag.
mlsr : Length scale ratio improvement flag.
mpp : Point placement flag.
mqchk : Element quality measure information output flag.
mqpdf : Quad-Pyramid length-scale flag.
mrec4 : 4-4 element local-Reconnection flag.
mrecbdw : Boundary curvature reconnection flag.
mrecbm : Boundary face local-reconnection flag.
mrecm : Local-Reconnection flag.
mrecqm : Quality local-reconnection flag.
mrecqmf : Final quality local-reconnection flag.
msetabl : Set adjacent surface to BL flag.
msetqp : Quad-Pyramid transition height method.
mw_bc_surf : BC surface file flag.
mw_bl_func : BL level function file flag.
mw_bl_surf : BL surface file flag.
mw_blds_func : BL spacing and normal vector file flag.
mw_blisf_surf : BLISF surface file flag.
mw_blsd_func : BL surface discontinuity function file flag.
mw_func : Write BG function file flag.
mw_func_type : Write BG function file flag.
mw_ice : ICE output debug mesh file flag.
mw_ice_surf : ICE boundary surface file flag.
nblidsmthl : BL surface ID smoothing layers.
nblsmthl : BL concave region smoothing layers.
nblsmthlisf : Fixed BL face smoothing layers.
nlsrpp : Maximum LSR point placement passes.
npsurf : Number of periodic surface pairs.
nref_max : ICE maximum number of refinement levels.
nsblm : SL normal vector smoothing layers.
NUMERIC PARAMETERS (RARELY USED)
ang_qmax : Output dihedral angle check quality limit.
ang_qmax2 : Output dihedral angle check usable limit.
angbfmax : Boundary surface face quality threshold.
angblisimx : Maximum angle between BL intersecting faces.
angblqfmax : Maximum BL interface face angle.
angblqfmax2 : Maximum BL interface face angle #2.
angdbe : Discontinuous boundary edge angle.
angqbf : Maximum planar surface angle.
angqbfmin : Minimum planar surface angle.
angslqmax : Maximum SL dihedral element angle.
angslqmaxd : Maximum discontinuous SL dihedral angle.
bldup : Normalized BL velocity increment.
cblcncvmnr : Concave maximum normal-direction-aspect-ratio.
cbldel : BL thickness slope multiplier.
cblend : Global BL termination factor.
cblisfm : Fixed surface BL check reduction factor.
cblnrchkbf : Checking normal-direction-aspect-ratio.
cblsmax : BL thickness multiplier.
cblsmaxs : BL normal smoothing multiplier.
cblsmaxsd : BL normal smoothing discontinuity multiplier.
cblsmthd : Smoothing BL thickness multiplier.
cblxlim : Minimum distance for BL variation.
cdf_gap_ic : ICE gap length scale multiplier.
cdf_ic_max : ICE max/min length scale factor.
cdf_vol : Distribution function multiplier (volume mesh).
cdffblm1 : Maximum BL edge length factor #1.
cdffblm2 : Maximum BL edge length factor #2.
cdfm : Distribution function weighting factor.
cdfn_gap_ic : ICE gap minimum closest node distance factor.
cdfn_se : Small edge factor.
cdfnbl : Nearby BL node factor.
cdfqp : Prism element height multiplier.
cdfqp_ic : ICE prism element height multiplier.
cdfr : Maximum geometric growth rate.
cdfr_gap_ic : ICE maximum geometric growth rate.
cdfrsrc : Maximum geometric source growth rate.
cdfssrc : Source distribution function exclusion zone.
csrcw : Source weight.
df_ic_max : ICE maximum length scale.
df_ic_min : ICE minimum length scale.
dfmax : Maximum distribution function.
dsmul : BL spacing multiplier.
-bldsm : BL spacing multiplier.
dx_tol : Output relative tolerance for element edge-length checking.
lsrcdf : LSRatio improvement limit factor.
lsrlimit : LSRatio improvement limit factor.
lsrpplim : LSR point placement limit factor.
qvlr_qmin : Quality function Q (based on vol/length ratio) quality limit.
qvlr_qmin2 : Quality function Q (based on vol/length ratio) usable limit.
qvrr_qmin : Quality function Q (based on vol/radius ratio) quality limit.
qvrr_qmin2 : Output quality function Q (based on vol/radius ratio) check usable limit.
vol_tol : Output relative tolerance for element volume checking.
volr_qmin : Output volume ratio check quality limit.
volr_qmin2 : Output volume ratio check quality limit.
vx : Flow X-direction vector component.
vy : Flow Y-direction vector component.
vz : Flow Z-direction vector component.