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Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 15373

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mariusz Ptak

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Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: CAD; CAE; finite element/multibody simulations; brain modeling; head injury; nonlinear dynamics; pedestrian/cyclist safety; vehicle crashworthiness; injury biomechanics; accident reconstruction
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Dr. Fábio Fernandes

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1. TEMA—Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
2. LASI—Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: cork composites; manufacturing; sustainability
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Dr. Kamil Sybilski

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Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Military University of Technology, Gen. Sylwestra Kaliskiego Street 2, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: finite element modeling; safety factors; human body modeling; safety systems; testing and modeling; simulation; biomechanics; motion analysis; electromyography; biomechanical measurements
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The human body is a complex multilayered structure consisting of various types of tissues, bones, and fluids governed by complex materials laws and interactions. The limitation of in vivo studies on human samples has made numerical modeling a vital tool to study injury outcomes. Numerical models based on, e.g., finite element and multibody approaches, can provide valuable data on the biomechanics of the human body and help to explain many pathological conditions. Numerical methods are often a robust way to predict how external mechanical loads affect individual biological structures. Computational models of biological systems have been developed over the years, reaching high levels of detail, complexity, and precision.

Thus, this Special Issue aims to collect papers that present new contributions to state-of-the-art numerical modeling and simulation approaches for biomechanical applications.

In this Special Issue, we expect to collect a set of contributions on topics that may include but are not limited to the studies of human and environmental aspects of a human body; models of materials applied in biomechanical systems; crashworthiness design, the biomechanics of impact and resulting injuries, studies of the structure, and function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems by the use of computational and experimental methods.

Papers reporting new and unpublished advances on these topics, including manuscripts presenting experimental verification of computer models and in silico modeling, are also welcomed.

Dr. Mariusz Ptak
Dr. Fábio A.O. Fernandes
Dr. Kamil Sybilski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

biomechanics
computer simulations
biological systems
injury
ergonomics
accident reconstruction
predictive models
impact severity
crashworthiness
finite element analysis
multibody system

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Injury Biomechanics Evaluation of a Driver with Disabilities during a Road Accident—A Numerical Approach

by Kamil Sybilski, Fábio A. O. Fernandes, Mariusz Ptak and Ricardo J. Alves de Sousa

Materials 2022, 15(22), 7956; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15227956 - 10 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1258

Abstract

Numerical methods are often a robust way to predict how external mechanical loads affect individual biological structures. Computational models of biological systems have been developed over the years, reaching high levels of detail, complexity, and precision. In this study, two cases were analysed, differing in the airbag operation; in the first, the airbag was normally activated, and in the second case, the airbag was disabled. We analysed a model of a disabled person without a left leg who steers a vehicle using a specialized knob on the steering wheel. In both cases, a head-on collision between a car moving at an initial speed of 50 km/h and a rigid obstacle was analysed. We concluded that the activated airbag for a person with disabilities reduces the effects of asymmetries in the positioning of the belts and body support points. Moreover, all the biomechanical parameters, analysed on the 50th percentile dummy, i.e., HIC, seat belt contact force and neck injury criterion (Nij) support the use of an airbag. The resulting accelerations, measured in the head of the dummy, were induced into a finite element head model (YEAHM) to kinematically drive the head and simulate both accidents, with and without the airbag. In the latter, the subsequent head injury prediction revealed a form of contrecoup injury, more specifically cerebral contusion based on the intracranial pressure levels that were achieved. Therefore, based on the in-depth investigation, a frontal airbag can significantly lower the possibility of injuries for disabled drivers, including cerebral contusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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16 pages, 7457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Analyses of Fracture Mechanism of the Pelvic Ring during Side-Impact Load

by Tomasz Klekiel, Katarzyna Arkusz, Grzegorz Sławiński, Piotr Malesa and Romuald Będziński

Materials 2022, 15(16), 5734; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165734 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1410

Abstract

The aim of this study is the analysis of the multiple pelvis fracture mechanism in side-impact dynamic load cases. The elaborated numerical model of a pelvis complex includes pelvic and sacral bones as well as soft tissues such as ligaments and cartilages. The bone has been modelled as a viscoelasticity material based on the Johnson–Cook model. The model parameters have been chosen based on the experimental data. The uniqueness of a presented approach refers to the selection of crack criteria for the bone. Thus, it was allowed to analyse the process of multiple fractures inside the pelvic bones. The analysis was evaluated for the model in which the deformation rate influences the bone material properties. As a result, the stress distributions inside particular bones were changed. It has been estimated that the results can vary by 50% or even more depending on the type of boundary conditions adopted. The second step of work was a numerical analysis of military vehicle subjected to an IED. An analysis of the impactor’s impact on the pelvis of the Hybrid ES-2RE mannequin was conducted. It was shown that the force in the pelvis exceeds the critical value by a factor of 10. The results of the numerical analysis were then used to validate the model of a military vehicle with a soldier. It was shown that for the adopted loading conditions, the critical value of the force in the pelvis was not exceeded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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20 pages, 8719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation of Bone Material Model Using Voxel Mesh and Parametric Optimization

by Kamil Pietroń, Łukasz Mazurkiewicz, Kamil Sybilski and Jerzy Małachowski

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155163 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

The authors present an algorithm for determining the stiffness of the bone tissue for individual ranges of bone density. The paper begins with the preparation and appropriate mechanical processing of samples from the bovine femur and their imaging using computed tomography and then processing DICOM files in the MIMICS system. During the processing of DICOM files, particular emphasis was placed on defining basic planes along the sides of the samples, which improved the representation of sample geometry in the models. The MIMICS system transformed DICOM images into voxel models from which the whole bone FE model was built in the next step. A single voxel represents the averaged density of the real sample in a very small finite volume. In the numerical model, it is represented by the HEX8 element, which is a cube. All voxels were divided into groups that were assigned average equivalent densities. Then, the previously prepared samples were loaded to failure in a three-point bending test. The force waveforms as a function of the deflection of samples were obtained, based on which the global stiffness of the entire sample was determined. To determine the stiffness of each averaged voxel density value, the authors used advanced optimization analyses, during which numerical analyses were carried out simultaneously, independently mapping six experimental tests. Ultimately, the use of genetic algorithms made it possible to select a set of stiffness parameters for which the error of mapping the global stiffness for all samples was the smallest. The discrepancies obtained were less than 5%, which the authors considered satisfactory by the authors for such a heterogeneous medium and for samples collected from different parts of the bone. Finally, the determined data were validated for the sample that was not involved in the correlation of material parameters. The stiffness was 7% lower than in the experimental test. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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10 pages, 1654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Abdominal Constrictor’s Forces for Informing Computational Models of Orthostatic Hypotension

by Faiz Syed, Rejath Jose, Timothy Devine, Chris Coletti and Milan Toma

Materials 2022, 15(9), 3116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093116 - 26 Apr 2022

Viewed by 2177

Abstract

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing from a sitting or supine position. The prevalence of this condition increases exponentially with age. Nonpharmacological treatments are always the first step in the management of this condition, such as the use of an abdominal constriction belt to optimize the blood volume in the abdomen. A multitude of clinical trials have shown the efficacy of elastic abdominal compression as well as compression using an inflatable bladder; however, there are currently few accessible consumer products that can provide abdominal compression by using an inflatable bladder that ensures the correct amount of pressure is being exerted on the subject. This study serves to quantitatively analyze forces exerted in inflatable abdominal binders, a novel treatment that fits the criterion for a first-line intervention for orthostatic hypotension. Quantitative values aim to indicate both the anatomic regions of the body subjected to the highest pressure by abdominal binding. Quantitative values will also create a model that can correlate the amount of compression on the subject with varying levels of pressure in the inflatable bladder. Inflatable binders of varying levels of inflation are used and localized pressure values are recorded at 5 different vertical points along the abdomen in the midsternal line and midclavicular line, at the locations of the splanchnic veins. These findings indicate both the differences in the compressive force applied through elastic and inflatable binding, as well the regions on the abdomen subject to the highest force load during compression by an abdominal binder. A medical manikin called the iStan Manikin was used to collect data. The pressure values on a manikin were sensed by the JUZO pressure monitor, a special device created for the purpose of measuring the force under compressive garments. The pressure inside the inflatable bladder was extrapolated from a pressure gauge and the pressure was recorded at different degrees of inflation of the belt (mmHG) along two different areas of the abdomen, the midsternal line and the midclavicular line, to discern differences in force exerted on the patient (mmHG). Computational studies on the data from the JUZO pressure monitor as well as the data from the pressure gauge on the inflatable bladder allow us to create a model that can correlate the amount of pressure in the inflatable bladder to the amount of pressure exerted on the belt, thus making sure that the patient is not being harmed by the compressive force. The results of our study indicate that there is no significant difference between the pressures exerted on the midsternal and midclavicular lines of the body by the abdominal binder and that no significant difference exists between the external pressure measured by the inflatable belt and the pressure sensed on the human body by the JUZO sensor; however, we were able to extrapolate an equation that can tell the user the amount of pressure that is actually being exerted on them based on the pressure in the inflatable bladder as recorded by the gauge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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13 pages, 7767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effective Viscoplastic-Softening Model Suitable for Brain Impact Modelling

by Bartłomiej Dyniewicz, Jacek M. Bajkowski and Czesław I. Bajer

Materials 2022, 15(6), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15062270 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1756

Abstract

In this paper, we address the numerical aspects and implementation of a nonlinear viscoplastic model of the mechanical behaviour of brain tissue to simulate the dynamic responses related to impact loads which may cause traumatic injury. Among the various viscoelastic models available, we deliberately considered modifying the Norton–Hoff model in order to introduce non-typical viscoplastic softening behaviour that imitates a brain’s response just several milliseconds after a rapid impact. We describe the discretisation and three dimensional implementation of the model, with the aim of obtaining accurate numerical results in a reasonable computational time. Due to the large scale and complexity of the problem, a parallel computation technique, using a space–time finite element method, was used to facilitate the computation boost. It is proven that, after calibrating, the introduced viscoplastic-softening model is better suited for modelling brain tissue behaviour for the specific case of rapid impact loading rather than the commonly used viscoelastic models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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16 pages, 2753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Mitral Paravalvular Leaks in Human Heart

by Krzysztof Wojtas, Michał Kozłowski, Wojciech Orciuch and Łukasz Makowski

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237354 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1786

Abstract

In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been extensively used in biomedical research on heart diseases due to its non-invasiveness and relative ease of use in predicting flow patterns inside the cardiovascular system. In this study, a modeling approach involving CFD simulations was employed to study hemodynamics inside the left ventricle (LV) of a human heart affected by a mitral paravalvular leak (PVL). A simplified LV geometry with four PVL variants that varied in shape and size was studied. Predicted blood flow parameters, mainly velocity and shear stress distributions, were used as indicators of how presence of PVLs correlates with risk and severity of hemolysis. The calculations performed in the study showed a high risk of hemolysis in all analyzed cases, with the maximum shear stress values considerably exceeding the safe level of 300 Pa. Results of our study indicated that there was no simple relationship between PVL geometry and the risk of hemolysis. Two factors that potentially played a role in hemolysis severity, namely erythrocyte exposure time and the volume of fluid in which shear stress exceeded a critical value, were not directly proportional to any of the characteristic geometrical parameters (shape, diameters, circumference, area, volume) of the PVL channel. Potential limitations of the proposed simplified approach of flow analysis are discussed, and possible modifications to increase the accuracy and plausibility of the results are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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Review

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21 pages, 1355 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clinical Impact of Computational Heart Valve Models

by Milan Toma, Shelly Singh-Gryzbon, Elisabeth Frankini, Zhenglun (Alan) Wei and Ajit P. Yoganathan

Materials 2022, 15(9), 3302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093302 - 05 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3976

Abstract

This paper provides a review of engineering applications and computational methods used to analyze the dynamics of heart valve closures in healthy and diseased states. Computational methods are a cost-effective tool that can be used to evaluate the flow parameters of heart valves. Valve repair and replacement have long-term stability and biocompatibility issues, highlighting the need for a more robust method for resolving valvular disease. For example, while fluid–structure interaction analyses are still scarcely utilized to study aortic valves, computational fluid dynamics is used to assess the effect of different aortic valve morphologies on velocity profiles, flow patterns, helicity, wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index in the thoracic aorta. It has been analyzed that computational flow dynamic analyses can be integrated with other methods to create a superior, more compatible method of understanding risk and compatibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Modelling and Simulation Studies for Biomechanical Applications)

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