11.11.4 Supported Extensions

The column-layer cell geometry supports two optional geometric extensions: split nodes and finite element subnode topology (Figure 11.11.4-1).

Figure 11.11.4-1 Column-layer cell geometry with extensions.

Split nodes introduce additional nodes and hence additional spatial resolution into a column-layer grid. They are used by some modeling applications, most often to improve the representation of stair-step reverse faults. After split nodes are introduced, additional split faces and split edges may also need to be defined. The additional grid topology object collects all of these extensions so that they are available for property attachment, even if they are not used for geometry extensions.

Subnodes are used as part of the finite element grid description. Again, both of these extensions are structured to localize these degrees of freedom, to provide guidance to a RESQML reader which may not support these features.