Sharif Digital Repository

The lipid bilayer plays a crucial role in gating of mechanosensitive (MS) channels. Hence it is imperative to elucidate the rheological properties of lipid membranes. Herein we introduce a framework to characterize the mechanical properties of lipid bilayers by combining micropipette aspiration (MA) with theoretical modeling. Our results reveal that excised liposome patch fluorometry is superior to traditional cell-attached MA for measuring the intrinsic mechanical properties of lipid bilayers. The computational results also indicate that unlike the uniform bilayer tension estimated by Laplace's law, bilayer tension is not uniform across the membrane patch area. Instead, the highest tension... 

This article extends a procedure that has been used to discretize a continuous flexible beam into a system of rigid bars and joints, which resist relative rotation of the attached bars. The object of this article is to present and formulate a simple and practical approximate technique for determining the time response of beams with internal hinges and different boundary conditions, carrying a moving mass. The results are compared with a general-purpose nonlinear dynamic finite element program, and a good agreement is achieved. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved  

Investigation of the relationship between different types of mechanical loading and the failure of the intervertebral disc requires a well-defined finite element model. The objective of this paper was to develop and validate a nonlinear axisymmetric poroelastic finite element model of intervertebral disc and show its capability for studying the time-dependent response. After presenting the poroelastic model of intervertebral disc, the results of prolonged (short-term and long-term creep tests) and cyclic loading were compared with in vivo and in vitro experimental data. The trends predicted by FE model agreed well with measured experimental data and showed its validity for dynamic analysis.... 

Chatter vibration is a major obstacle in achieveing increased machining performance. In this research, a finite element model of chip formation in a 2D milling process is used to predict the occurrence of chatter vibrations, and to investigate the effects of various machining parameters on this phenomenon. The dynamic properties of the machine tool at the tool tip are obtained based on experimental modal analysis, and are used in the model as the cutter dynamics. The model allows for the natural development of vibration as the result of the chip-tool engagement, and accounts for various phenomena that occur at the chip-tool interface ultimately leading to stable or unstable cutting. The... 

In this paper, an integrated software environment is demonstrated for computational simulation of powder forming processes. The powder compaction software, PCS_SUT, is designed in both popularity and functionality with the development of user-friendly pre- and post-processing software. Pre-processing software is used to create the model, generate an appropriate finite element grid, apply the appropriate boundary conditions, and view the total model. Post-processing provides visualization of the computed results. In PCS_SUT, a numerical model is developed based on a Lagrangian finite element formulation for large deformations, a cap plasticity theory for non-linear behaviour of material, and... 

Using two nonlinear finite element models of the lumbar spine, the concept of optimal posture is explored by minimizing the segmental sagittal moments required for the equilibrium of the passive lumbar spine under a total of 2800 N axial compression while varying the pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis. The redundant active-passive system is subsequently solved for this posture using a novel kinematics-based muscle calculation algorithm along with minimization approach. Some flattening in the lumbar spine substantially reduces the required moments and internal passive shear forces under 2800 N axial compression force. Small muscle forces are calculated for this optimal posture. The role of... 

In the present work, a combination of a dynamic explicit finite element model and the low cycle fatigue theory is used to simulate the steady-state abrasive wear occurring between an as-cast eutectoid steel and a carbide-tungsten disk. While the low cycle fatigue theory has been used to model wear in softer non-ferrous alloys, this work shows its applicability and accuracy for use in harder alloys, such as the eutectoid steel used in this research which is strengthened with added chromium. The novelty of this work lies in calculating the Manson-Coffin relation constants from a coupled finite element model with experimental tests instead of the previously used Slip line method. The D... 

The use of Near-surface Mounted (NSM) FRP bars is an efficient strengthening technique to enhance the flexural strength of RC structures. This article is intended to analytically investigate the effectiveness of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars in combination with GFRP wraps on the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) columns with Fiber Element Modeling approach. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed fiber-based modeling method is demonstrated by numerical models on seven half-scale experimental RC reference columns under axial and cyclic lateral loads. These reference specimens are comprised of seven half-scale RC columns including two unstrengthened and five... 

Complex nature of diagonal tension accompanied by the formation of new cracks as well as closing and propagating preexisting cracks has deterred researchers to achieve an analytical and mathematical procedure for accurate predicting shear behavior of reinforced concrete, and there is the lack of a unique theory accepted universally. Shear behavior of reinforced concrete is studied in this paper based on recently developed constitutive laws for normal strength concrete and mild steel bars using the nonlinear finite element method. The salient feature of these stress-strain relations is to account the interactive effects of concrete and embedded bars on each other in a smeared rotating crack... 

Inelastic phenomena such as stress softening and unrecoverable inelastic deformations induced by supra-physiological loading have been observed experimentally in soft tissues such as arteries. These phenomena need to be accounted for in constitutive models of arterial tissues so that computational models can properly predict the outcome of interventional procedures such as arterial clamping and balloon angioplasty that involve non-physiological tissue loading. Motivated by experimental data, a novel pseudo-elastic damage model is proposed to describe discontinuous softening and permanent deformation in arterial tissues. The model is fitted to experimental data and specific material... 

Permanent ground displacement (PGD) caused by surface faulting is considered as one of the most significant hazards affecting buried pipelines. Pipelines crossing reverse-slip faults are subjected to compressive actions (stresses and strains) which can result in buckling of the pipe. In current work, the results obtained from the full-scale laboratory testing and finite element analyses of 4″ (114.3 mm) and 6″ (168.3 mm) steel gas pipes (without internal pressure) buried inside a split box and subjected to a reverse faulting of 0.6 m (pure dip-slip) are presented. These pipes are commonly used in gas distribution lines and networks. The experimental setup, procedure and instrumentation as... 

The sloshing behavior of systems is influenced by different factors related to the liquid level and tank specifications. Different approaches are applicable for the assessment of sloshing behavior in a tank. In this paper, a new numerical model based on the differential quadrature method and boundary element approaches is adopted to investigate the sloshing behavior of a tank with an elastic thin-walled beam. The model is developed based on small slope considerations of the free surface. The main assumption of fluid modeling is homogeneity, isotropy, inviscid, and only limited compressibility of the liquid. Indeed, the formulation is represented based on the reduced-order method and then is... 

Steel Reinforced Elastomeric Bearings (SREB) are mostly designed and used for providing different supporting conditions under service loads; while recent studies have shown remarkable characteristics which help them as a cost-effective isolation system. However, little investigation has been carried out to indicate the influence of parameters affecting the mechanical properties of the bearings under large shear deformations (i.e., the seismic performance as an isolation system). A comparative parametric study was conducted herein through finite element modeling of SREBs. The implemented model was also verified by experimental test results. The hysteretic behavior was studied in both cases of... 

In this paper a general 2-D model of a large air-gap synchronous machine either with non-magnetic or magnetic core rotor is investigated and electrical characteristics of the machine are analytically calculated. Considering the general model, analytical equations for magnetic field density in different regions of the large air-gap machine are calculated. In addition, self and mutual inductances in the proposed model of the machine have been developed, which are the most important parameters in the electromagnetic design and transient analysis of synchronous machines. Finite element simulation has also been performed to verify the obtained results from the equations. Analytical results show... 

In this paper, model-based and distrbance observer (DOB)-based control of needle in precautious applications are compared. In the model-based approach, the force acting on the needle is calculated by evaluating the finite element model (FEM) of the tissue with the tissue deformation. In DOB-based method, the force acting on the needle is considered as an external disturbance and it is estimated using position and velocity of the needle. In both approaches, the calculated/estimated force is used in a sliding mode control scheme to steer the needle to the target. A dynamics equation for the movement of the needle is proposed which includes the force applied by the tissue to the needle. The...