How do element normals impact FE mesh analysis results?

[pukb]

Hi
what is the importance of element normals in a FE mesh ?
How does it matter if it is outward or inward in a FE solver ?
I came across Visual Crash Pam software in which negative element ids would mean element normals in opposite direction. how would this affect the overall result of an analysis?

Thanks

 

[shivadevrao]

What kind of analysis you are doing??

If you are analysing heat transfer problem, element normals are useful in defining the optical properties like emissivity

 

[pukb]

it is a coupled analysis involving structural (explicit and implicit) and thermal analysis (implicit)

 

[shivadevrao]

If it is a thermal analysis & if you are considering radiation also, then element normals help you in defining optical properties.