> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FE Volume Mesh

## About this Block

**What it does:** Takes a 3D mesh and adds integration points to each element within the mesh to allow for downstream analysis.

**Commons uses:**

* For use in downstream analysis, such as Topology Optimization and Static Analysis.

**Tips:**

* The geometric order can be Linear, where integration points are added at every mesh intersection, or Quadratic, where integration points are added at the midpoint of the mesh edges.
* Linear Geometric order is faster, but less accurate.
* Quadratic Geometric order is slower, but more accurate. We recommend this option if you are using the results downstream.

## Example File

Download Example: [FE Volume Mesh](https://storage.googleapis.com/files-learn/static/ExtendedBlockDocs/FEVolumeMesh.ntop)

![FE Volume Mesh](https://storage.googleapis.com/files-learn/static/ExtendedBlockDocs/FEVolumeMesh.jpg)

***

Convert a Volume Mesh to an FE Mesh by adding integration points of the desired order to each element within the mesh.

### Inputs

| Name            | Type                                                             | Description                                 |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Discretization  | [Volume Mesh](../../../../block-documentation/types/volume-mesh) | The input geometric discretization.         |
| Geometric order | Geometric Order Enum                                             | The geometric order of the finite elements. |

### Outputs

| Type                                                     |
| -------------------------------------------------------- |
| [FE Mesh](../../../../block-documentation/types/fe-mesh) |