Using virtual topology to simplify the mesh generation process

The use of geometry based analysis requires geometries which are 1) topologically valid solids, 2) suitable for the analysis objectives and refinements required and 3) meshable using available algorithms. Modifications of the model are thus often a necessity as a precursor to effective mesh generation. Editing the geometry directly (e.g. surface redefinitions) is cumbersome, tedious, and expensive. Using virtual topology, such clean-up operations are handled as modifications to the topology only, thus providing easy detail suppression, flexible geometry decomposition, and effective "dirty" geometry clean-up.