Surface models can only be meshed with which type of elements?

Surface models are representations of geometric shapes that primarily define the outer boundaries of an object without specifying volume. When it comes to meshing surface models, shell elements are the appropriate choice. Shell elements are designed to simulate structures that have a small thickness compared to their other dimensions, making them ideal for applications involving surfaces such as plates and shells. They simplify the modeling process while efficiently capturing the behavior of thin-walled structures under load.

Other element types, such as solid elements, are used for volumetric representations and require information about the object's interior, which surface models do not provide. Beam elements are suitable for one-dimensional structural elements like beams but do not apply to the two-dimensional nature of surface models. Consequently, a mixture of beam and shell elements would not be coherent since the surface model's essence does not lend itself to a volumetric interpretation, eliminating the combination of these element types.

Using shell elements allows for a more streamlined meshing process that accurately reflects the characteristics of surface models when simulating their mechanical behavior under various conditions.