In this lecture, we'll cover the following:

• Adding predefined column (nodal) points into the mesh generation process.
• Extending the meshing function to handle additional geometric constraints.
• Embedding point entities into a surface using Gmsh.
• Mapping geometric points to mesh node tags using a proximity tolerance.
• Enhancing visualisation to highlight specific nodes (e.g. column locations).

In this lecture, we extend our meshing workflow by incorporating predefined column points into the mesh. We modify our existing function to accept additional point inputs, insert these into the geometry, and explicitly embed them into the surface so that Gmsh respects them during mesh generation. We also implement a method to track these points by mapping them to the nearest mesh nodes using a tolerance-based search, ensuring we can later reference them for boundary conditions or restraints.

We then enhance our data extraction by recording node tags not only for column locations but also along the outer boundary of the slab. Finally, we update the visualisation function to clearly distinguish column nodes from the rest of the mesh. Together, these improvements give us a more flexible and analysis-ready meshing tool, enabling precise control over key nodal locations.

Next up

Next, we will consolidate all of these meshing functions into a reusable utility file, streamlining the workflow for future analyses.