Aleksandar Karac

Validation of a fluid–structure interaction numerical model for predicting flow transients in arteries

Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) numerical models are now widely used in predicting blood flow transients. This is because of the importance of the interaction between the flowing blood and the deforming arterial wall to blood flow behaviour. Unfortunately, most of these FSI models lack rigorous validation and, thus, cannot guarantee the accuracy of their predictions. This paper presents the comprehensive validation of a two-way coupled FSI numerical model, developed to predict flow transients in compliant conduits such as arteries. The model is validated using analytical solutions and experiments conducted on polyurethane mock artery. Flow parameters such as pressure and axial stress (and precursor) wave speeds, wall deformations and oscillating frequency, fluid velocity and Poisson coupling effects, were used as the basis of this validation. Results show very good comparison between numerical predictions, analytical solutions and experimental data. The agreement between the three approaches is generally over 95%. The model also shows accurate prediction of Poisson coupling effects in unsteady flows through flexible pipes, which up to this stage have only being predicted analytically. Therefore, this numerical model can accurately predict flow transients in compliant vessels such as arteries.

Development of a Hip Joint Model for Finite Volume Simulations

This paper establishes a procedure for numerical analysis of a hip joint using the finite volume method. Patient-specific hip joint geometry is segmented directly from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging datasets and the resulting bone surfaces are processed into a form suitable for volume meshing. A high resolution continuum tetrahedral mesh has been generated, where a sandwich model approach is adopted; the bones are represented as a stiffer cortical shells surrounding more flexible cancellous cores. Cartilage is included as a uniform thickness extruded layer and the effect of layer thickness is investigated. To realistically position the bones, gait analysis has been performed giving the 3D positions of the bones for the full gait cycle. Three phases of the gait cycle are examined using a finite volume based custom structural contact solver implemented in open-source software OpenFOAM.

Modelling the Drop Impact Behaviour of Fluid-Filled Polyethylene Containers

ABSTRACT Drop impact resistance of fluid-filled plastic containers is of considerable concern to containers manufacturers as well as distribution industries using the containers for transportation of various liquids. This is due to potential failure of the containers following the drop impact and subsequent spillage of the transported liquid, and consequent safety and economical issues. In this work, a series of drop impact experiments is conducted on water filled bottles made of blow moulded high-density polyethylene (HDPE). During experiments, pressure and strain histories are recorded at various positions. The experiments are then simulated numerically. This problem falls into a category of strongly coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems due to comparable stiffnesses of the container and its liquid content. Hence, accurate prediction of containers’ behaviour requires a liquid-container interaction model. Here, a two-system FSI model based on the Finite Volume Method is employed, and a good agreement is found between measured and predicted pressure and strain histories. To obtain fracture properties of HDPE conventional essential work of fracture tests are performed. Two grades of blow-moulded HDPE are tested at different test speeds. The main aim of these tests is to estimate traction-separation (cohesive zone) properties of the materials. In future work, these will be combined with the fluid-structure interaction model to provide a powerful tool for predicting the complex behaviour and potential failure of fluid-filled containers under drop impact.

Development of mapped stress-field boundary conditions based on a Hill-type muscle model

Forces generated in the muscles and tendons actuate the movement of the skeleton. Accurate estimation and application of these musculotendon forces in a continuum model is not a trivial matter. Frequently, musculotendon attachments are approximated as point forces; however, accurate estimation of local mechanics requires a more realistic application of musculotendon forces. This paper describes the development of mapped Hill-type muscle models as boundary conditions for a finite volume model of the hip joint, where the calculated muscle fibres map continuously between attachment sites. The applied muscle forces are calculated using active Hill-type models, where input electromyography signals are determined from gait analysis. Realistic muscle attachment sites are determined directly from tomography images. The mapped muscle boundary conditions, implemented in a finite volume structural OpenFOAM (ESI-OpenCFD, Bracknell, UK) solver, are employed to simulate the mid-stance phase of gait using a patient-specific natural hip joint, and a comparison is performed with the standard point load muscle approach. It is concluded that physiological joint loading is not accurately represented by simplistic muscle point loading conditions; however, when contact pressures are of sole interest, simplifying assumptions with regard to muscular forces may be valid.

Characterisation of the Fracture Energy and Toughening Mechanisms of a Nano-Toughened Epoxy Adhesive

In this study the adhesive joint fracture behaviour of a nano-toughened epoxy adhesive was investigated. Two experimental test methods were used; (i) the standard tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) test to measure the mode I adhesive joint fracture energy, GIC, as a function of bond gap thickness and (ii) a circumferentially deep notched tensile test to determine the cohesive strength of the adhesive for a range of constraint levels. It was found that the fracture energy of the adhesive followed the well-known bond gap thickness dependency [1]. SEM analysis of the TDCB fracture surfaces revealed significant plastic void growth. Finally, numerical modelling of the experimental tests suggested that most of the fracture energy was dissipated via highly localised plasticity in the fracture process zone ahead of the crack tip.

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Mixed- mode Fracture Toughness and Lap Shear Strength of Aerospace Grade Composite Joints

In the present study, the mixed-mode fracture toughness of an adhesively bonded composite joint system was examined using a variety of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) based tests. These tests include the mode I double cantilever beam (DCB), mixed-mode asymmetrical DCB (ADCB) and mode II end load split (ELS) test. The joint system was also evaluated using the wide area lap shear (WALS) test that is often employed by the aerospace industry. While lap shear type tests are relatively simple to perform and post-process compared to their LEFM counterparts, the results can often be misleading and are greatly dependent on the overlap length, thickness of substrate and type of fillet. The experimental tests were also simulated using OpenFOAM, a finite volume based software package. Through this combined experimental-numerical approach, a greater understanding of the influence of the peel ply surface treatment and scrim cloth on the behaviour of the WALS test was achieved.

A novel surrogate lung material for impact studies: Development and testing procedures

This work focuses on the development of a surrogate lung material (SLM) that reproduces the dynamic response of a human lung under various loading conditions and also allows for the analysis of the extent and distribution of damage. The SLM consists of polyurethane foam used to mimic the spongy lung tissue and fluid-filled gelatine microcapsules used to simulate the damage of alveoli. The bursting pressure of the microcapsules was investigated by conducting low and high rate compression tests on single microcapsules. A bursting pressure of around 5bar was measured which is comparable to the reported lung overpressure at injury level. Low and high rate compression tests were conducted on the SLMs. From the measured mechanical properties and mass density, the stress wave speed was calculated and found to be well in the range of the reported values for human lungs (16-70m/s). In order to study the extent and distribution of damage in the SLMs, as represented by burst microcapsules, a CT scan analysis was carried out before and after the impacts. The CT scan results clearly demonstrated the magnitude and distribution of damage within the specimen. The results are then compared to the Bowen curves, the most often used criteria for predicting blast injuries in humans. An excellent agreement was found between the observed damage in the surrogate lungs and the expected damage in real human lungs. In general, the SLM showed similar stress wave speed, bursting pressure and damage to that of the real lungs.

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation Into the Deformation Profiles of Mock Arteries

Atherosclerosis is a chronic medical condition in which thickening and loss in the elasticity of the artery wall leads to impaired blood circulation[1]. Cholesterols and other proliferating cells accumulate at localized regions within the artery wall. This has the effect of stiffening and thickening the wall at that point. The presence of an emerging plaque should effect the deformation of and stresses generated within the artery wall sufficiently so to make it possible to detect this disease whilst still in its early stages. The hypothesis under investigation in this work is that an altered deformation profile, because of stiffening and thickening of the artery wall is an early indicator of the existence of this disease.Copyright