The course aims at providing the basic knowledge of biomechanics and an introduction to the use of computer codes for the study of situations characterized by complex geometrical/loading conditions (e.g., cardiovascular implants such as stents or other area of interest for the student) .
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of physics and algebra
Teaching Methods
Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45 Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0 Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of 2 tests: written, oral exam. The oral exam is accessed after having successfully taken the written exam.
Texts
Course notes. Further suggested books: C.Comi, L. Corradi Dell'Acqua. Introduzione alla meccanica strutturale. McGraw Hill, 2/ed, 2007 . N.Ozkaya and M.Nordin. Fundamentals of Biomechanics: Equilibrium, Motion, and Deformation. Springer, 2010. D.Gross, W. H. Schröder, W. A. Wall, J. Bonet. Engineering Mechanics 1-2. Springer
Contents
COURSE INTRODUCTION: the main techniques to formulate and solve (bio)mechanical problems will be introduced with particular attention to model complex and solution methods, ranging from analytical to numerical ones (e.g., finite element analysis)
PRELIMINARY NOTES • Introduction to engineering, indicial notation • tensorial calculus • planar sections (inertia, centroid, etc.) • material point
RIGID BODY • definition • Study of balance of two-dimensional systems of rigid bodies (beams) • Stress resultants • simple examples of application of Statics to Biomechanics their application in biomechanics.
DEFORMABLE BODY • 1D deformable body. • Tensile test • Definition of internal deformation and internal tension • Response characteristic of a material with identification of the regions of elastic and inelastic behavior. • 3D deformable body • Analysis of deformation and definition of tensor of deformation with its physical meaning of its components • Balance and analysis of the stress; definition of tensor of tension with its physical meaning of its components.
CONSTITUTIVE MODELING • Introduction to the concept of costitutive modeling and in particular to the case of linear elastic material. • Application of the concepts introduced in the case of biological tissues (hard and soft tissues).
COMPLEX 3D CASES • Analytical solutions (e.g., Saint-Venant model) • Numerical solutions: use of finite element analysis for the solution of problems of three-dimensional deformable body • Analysis of application such as cardiovascular stents or other area of specific interest to the student.
