Manfred Staat

LISA : a European project for FEM-based limit and shakedown analysis

The load-carrying capacity or the safety against plastic limit states are the central questions in the design of structures and passive components in the apparatus engineering. A precise answer is most simply given by limit and shakedown analysis. These methods can be based on static and kinematic theorems for lower and upper bound analysis. Both may be formulated as optimization problems for finite element discretizations of structures. The problems of large-scale analysis and the extension towards realistic material modelling will be solved in a European research project. Limit and shakedown analyses are briefly demonstrated with illustrative examples.

A New Model for Blunt Liver Injuries in the Swine

Background: To elaborate the impact of new haemostatic agents we developed an instrument for the pressure-controlled induction of blunt liver injuries in a porcine animal model. Materials and Methods: A dilutional coagulopathy of 80% of animal blood volume was induced in 9 anaesthetized pigs. Animals were randomly assigned to be injured with a force of 112 Newton (N) (n = 1), 224 ± 19 N (n = 4) or 355 ± 35 N (n = 4). The impact of injury was measured by blood loss, survival time and coagulation parameters. Liver histology was obtained to evaluate the degree of liver injury. Results: The profound haemodilution resulted in a significant alteration of all coagulation parameters. After inflicting the injury with 355 ± 35 N, both the survival time (30 ± 9 min; p = 0.006) and blood loss (68 ± 16 ml min–1, p = 0.002) were significantly different as compared to injuries with 224 ± 19 N (survival time: 76 ± 20 min, blood loss: 23 ± 4 ml min–1). In contrast, an injury with 112 N led to an insignificant blood loss of only 239 ml. Conclusion: We developed a pressure-controlled clamp that allows for the induction of blunt liver traumas with highly reproducible injuries with a positive correlation with blood loss and survival.

Basis Reduction for the Shakedown Problem for Bounded Kinematic Hardening Material

Limit and shakedown analysis are effective methods for assessing the load carrying capacity of a given structure. The elasto–plastic behavior of the structure subjected to loads varying in a given load domain is characterized by the shakedown load factor, defined as the maximum factor which satisfies the sufficient conditions stated in the corresponding static shakedown theorem. The finite element dicretization of the problem may lead to very large convex optimization. For the effective solution a basis reduction method has been developed that makes use of the special problem structure for perfectly plastic material. The paper proposes a modified basis reduction method for direct application to the two-surface plasticity model of bounded kinematic hardening material. The considered numerical examples show an enlargement of the load carrying capacity due to bounded hardening.

FEM-computation of load carrying capacity of highly loaded passive components by direct methods

Limit and shakedown theorems are exact theories of classical plasticity for the direct computation of safety factors or of the load carrying capacity under constant and varying loads. Simple versions of limit and shakedown analysis are the basis of all design codes for pressure vessels and pipings. Using finite element methods (FEM), more realistic modeling can be used for a more rational design. The methods can be extended towards optimum plastic design. In this paper, we present a first implementation of limit and shakedown analyses for perfectly plastic material into a general purpose FEM program. Limit and shakedown loads are obtained for a square plate with a hole and for a thin tube. Interaction diagrams are calculated and the results are compared with known analytic solutions.

Cyclic plastic deformation tests to verify FEM-based shakedown analyses

Fatigue analyses are conducted with the aim of verifying that thermal ratcheting is limited. To this end it is important to make a clear distintion between the shakedown range and the ratcheting range (continuing deformation). As part of an EU-supported research project, experiments were carried out using a 4-bar model. The experiment comprised a water-cooled internal tube, and three insulated heatable outer test bars. The system was subjected to alternating axial forces, superimposed with alternating temperatures at the outer bars. The test parameters were partly selected on the basis of previous shakedown analyses. During the test, temperatures and strains were measured as a function of time. The loads and the resulting stresses were confirmed on an ongoing basis during performance of the test, and after it. Different material models were applied for this incremental elasto-plastic analysis using the ANSYS program. The results of the simulation are used to verify the FEM-based shakedown analysis.

Reliability Analysis of Elasto-Plastic Structures under Variable Loads

Structural reliability analysis is based on the concept of a limit state function separating failure from safe states of a structure. The paper discusses some difficulties of different reliability methods for FEM-discretized nonlinear structures. It is proposed that theorems of limit and shakedown analysis are used for a direct definition of the limit state function for failure by plastic collapse or by inadaptation. Shakedown describes an asymptotic and therefore time invariant structural behaviour under time variant loading. The limit state function and its gradient is obtained from a mathematical optimization problem. For application to large FEM models a basis reduction method is used. The method is implemented into a general purpose FEM code. Combined with FORM highly effective, robust and precise analyses could be performed for high-reliabilty problems.

New measurements to compare soft tissue anchoring systems in pelvic floor surgery

Suburethral slings as well as different meshes are widely used treating stress urinary incontinence and prolaps in women. With the development of MiniSlings and special meshes using less alloplastic material anchorage systems become more important to keep devices in place and to put some tension especially on the MiniSlings. To date, there are many different systems of MiniSlings of different companies on the market which differ in the structure of the used meshes and anchors. A new objective measurement method to compare different properties of MiniSling systems (mesh and anchor) is presented in this article. Ballistic gelatine acts as soft tissue surrogate. Significant differences in parameters like pull-out strength of anchors or shrinkage of meshes under loading conditions have been determined. The form and size of the anchors as well as the structural stability of the meshes are decisive for a proper integration. The tested anchorings sytems showed markedly different mechanical function at their respective load bearing capacity. As the stable fixation of the device in tissue is a prerequisite for a permanet reinforcement, the proposed test system permits further optimisation of anchor and mesh devices to improve the success of the surgical treatment.

Mechano-Pharmacological Characterization of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Background/Aims: Common systems for the quantification of cellular contraction rely on animal-based models, complex experimental setups or indirect approaches. The herein presented CellDrum technology for testing mechanical tension of cellular monolayers and thin tissue constructs has the potential to scale-up mechanical testing towards medium-throughput analyses. Using hiPS-Cardiac Myocytes (hiPS-CMs) it represents a new perspective of drug testing and brings us closer to personalized drug medication. Methods: In the present study, monolayers of self-beating hiPS-CMs were grown on ultra-thin circular silicone membranes and deflect under the weight of the culture medium. Rhythmic contractions of the hiPS-CMs induced variations of the membrane deflection. The recorded contraction-relaxation-cycles were analyzed with respect to their amplitudes, durations, time integrals and frequencies. Besides unstimulated force and tensile stress, we investigated the effects of agonists and antagonists acting on Ca2+ channels (S-Bay K8644/verapamil) and Na+ channels (veratridine/lidocaine). Results: The measured data and simulations for pharmacologically unstimulated contraction resembled findings in native human heart tissue, while the pharmacological dose-response curves were highly accurate and consistent with reference data. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of the CellDrum with hiPS-CMs offers a fast, facile and precise system for pharmacological, toxicological studies and offers new preclinical basic research potential.

Influence of a freeze-thaw cycle on the stress-stretch curves of tissues of porcine abdominal organs

The paper investigates both fresh porcine spleen and liver and the possible decomposition of these organs under a freeze-thaw cycle. The effect of tissue preservation condition is an important factor which should be taken into account for protracted biomechanical tests. In this work, tension tests were conducted for a large number of tissue specimens from twenty pigs divided into two groups of 10. Concretely, the first group was tested in fresh state; the other one was tested after a freeze-thaw cycle which simulates the conservation conditions before biomechanical experiments. A modified Fung model for isotropic behavior was adopted for the curve fitting of each kind of tissues. Experimental results show strong effects of the realistic freeze-thaw cycle on the capsule of elastin-rich spleen but negligible effects on the liver which virtually contains no elastin. This different behavior could be explained by the autolysis of elastin by elastolytic enzymes during the warmer period after thawing. Realistic biomechanical properties of elastin-rich organs can only be expected if really fresh tissue is tested. The observations are supported by tests of intestines.

Shakedown and ratchetting under tension–torsion loadings: analysis and experiments

Structural design analyses are conducted with the aim of verifying the exclusion of ratchetting. To this end it is important to make a clear distinction between the shakedown range and the ratchetting range. The performed experiment comprised a hollow tension specimen which was subjected to alternating axial forces, superimposed with constant moments. First, a series of uniaxial tests has been carried out in order to calibrate a bounded kinematic hardening rule. The load parameters have been selected on the basis of previous shakedown analyses with the PERMAS code using a kinematic hardening material model. It is shown that this shakedown analysis gives reasonable agreement between the experimental and the numerical results. A linear and a nonlinear kinematic hardening model of two-surface plasticity are compared in material shakedown analysis.