Conceptual Modeling: Define Unstructured VGrids and Finite Element Meshes

This video describes the seventh step in the conceptual modeling workflow: Defining Unstructured V-Grids and Finite Element Meshes.

The final step before converting your conceptual model to a traditional numerical model is to generate a grid which will be merged with the existing property zones and boundary conditions. This video describes the process for generating unstructured Voronoi grids (v-grids) which can be used in MODFLOW-USG models. The video also describes the process of generating finite element meshes, which can be used in FEFLOW models (a separate license of FEFLOW would be required).

Unstructured v-grids and finite element meshes are both generated automatically using the Triangle algorithm developed by Johnathan Shewchuk (see link below)

When an unstructured v-grid and/or finite element mesh is available the subsequent workflow steps to ‘Convert to MODFLOW-USG Model’ and ‘Convert to FEFLOW Model’ will become available, allowing you to merge your conceptual model elements (property zones, boundary conditions) with available grids/meshes in order to generate a MODFLOW-USG or FEFLOW model.