GPU-Accelerated Post-Processing and Animated Volume Rendering of Isogeometric Analysis Results

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) has enabled better CAD integration by using the same spline representations for modeling and analysis. Traditionally, the finite element analysis results are visualized by creating a texture map of the property of interest and superimposing them over the boundary representation (B-rep) model or the mesh. This technique cannot be directly used to render internal quantities of interest without computationally intensive sectioning and remapping of the textures. In this paper, we present a GPU accelerated algorithm that produces a time-varying voxelized representation of the property of interest. We then render the voxelized models generated using this approach at an interactive frame rate. To voxelize the models, we perform a modified ray intersection test with Bézier elements using a localized ray grid. We then generate a variable density voxel model representing the analysis results using the intersection data, which is repeated for the different time frames of the analysis. The complete time-series data is stored in GPU memory using a flat data structure, which is then rendered using GPU-accelerated ray casting. This direct voxelization technique enables a detailed analysis of the simulation using interactive slicing techniques without computationally intensive post-processing. We demonstrate this approach for two biomechanics simulations-a cardiac solid mechanics model and an aorta fluid dynamics model. These models were tested at different resolutions using single or batch frame processing. Our method can render the results of a complete isogeometric analysis at an interactive frame rate of over 30 frames per second for all test cases. © 2022 CAD Solutions, LLC.