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Infinite element domain setup for an underground cable heat-transfer model

Posted Jul 19, 2026, 1:15 p.m. EDT Heat Transfer, Geometry, Mesh Version 6.3 0 Replies

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Background

I am modeling heat transfer from an underground cable using Heat Transfer in Solids. The cable is within in a finite hexahedral soil domain, with an outer soil region assigned as an Infinite Element Domain.

The top surface represents the physical ground surface and uses a Convective Heat Flux boundary condition. Therefore, I do not want the infinite-element region to extend upward.

I understand that a Cartesian infinite-element region should be divided into separate face, edge, and corner domains rather than treated as one hollow hexahedral domain. I am currently modifying the geometry accordingly.

I also understand that the infinite-element domains should preferably use a swept mesh. With my current geometry, physics-controlled meshing has difficulties because the top is open and some regions do not appear to have clear parallel source and destination faces. A free tetrahedral mesh could be generated, but the study then failed because COMSOL could not identify valid Cartesian regions in the infinite outer domain.

So my questions are:

1) Is a Cartesian infinite-element region appropriate for this model if it surrounds the finite soil only laterally, below, and possibly at the cable ends, while leaving the ground surface open?

2) Would a hemispherical finite and infinite soil geometry be more suitable than the rectangular Cartesian geometry?

3) Should the cable extend into the infinite-element domains at the front and back in case of both types of infinite domain (hemispherical and hexahedral)?

4) Must every infinite-element subdomain be swept from the finite-soil interface toward the outer boundary? For the top surface of the infinite domain I am getting an error saying that there is no corresponding surface face to get the sweeping done. (This issue did not appear when I created a free tetrahedral mesh in the infinite domain)

I have attached images of my current geometry (and the figures I have referred from your Learning Center post).

Thank you for the time taken to read my post.

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