Hello,

I have a symmetric geometry (attached), and I would like the resulting mesh to reflect that symmetry. I cannot simply model the symmetric portion, as unsymmetric boundary conditions are applied on the entire domain. 

My pursuit of symmetry is driven by using "group representation theory" to reduce the stiffness matrix to a block-diagonal form for use in other codes. However, as the mesh differs slightly with respect to each symmetry plane, the resulting stiffness matrix is ever so slightly different as well. These differences become smaller with increasing mesh density, but I'd like to avoid the much-maligned "anxiety mesh" for obvious reasons.

Is there a way to constrain the mesh to be symmetric about certain datum planes or partitions, while also retaining the native part mesh?

I have tried meshing the minimum repeating unit (e.g., one-half of one quadrant), then merging all of the constituent parts together. However, the merge operation either creates an orphan mesh (if you select the "merge mesh" option), or deletes the part native mesh. Ideally, I would like to still retain the part geometry, as it is much easier to apply boundary conditions, sections, etc.

Is there a way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance.

Abaqus ​​​​​​​