FINITE ELEMENTS FOR BIOLOGICAL AND OTHER SOFT MATERIALS

EMA 405

Use of finite elements (FE) for solving practical problems in mechanics. Elementary theory of FE is discussed. A commercial computer program is used for applications. Major emphasis is on behavior of FE, modeling, and evaluation of results for correctness.

BME/ME 715

Central topics in solid mechanics applied to soft tissues, including analysis of strain in the setting of large deformations, computation of stress in multiple experimental loading configurations, constitutive modeling of biomaterials using hyperelastic strain-energy functions, modeling tissue growth and remodeling, and the main theories for soft tissue failure will be covered. Application of finite elasticity theory in practical laboratory situations, and key papers and concepts in soft tissue mechanics.

EMA 705

Finite element methods for problems with linear and nonlinear media. Stress analysis, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics. Vibration and transient analysis. Weighted residual methods. Material and geometric nonlinearity. Nonlinear iteration methods. Instructor may also select additional material. Knowledge of finite element theory [such asE M A 605] strongly encouraged.

BME 315

An introduction to the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and systems. Specific topics include: structure and function of biological tissues, mechanical properties of biological tissues, and analysis of specific tissues (i.e. bone, muscle, and soft connective tissues).

BME/ME 615

Focus on solid mechanics of prominent musculoskeletal and cardiovascular tissues. Their normal and pathological behaviors (stiffness, strength, relaxation, creep, adaptive remodeling, etc.) in response to physiologic loading will be examined and quantified.