Biomechanical analysis of lumbar interbody fusion with an anisotropic hyperelastic model for annulus fibrosis

Based on computed tomography scanning images, this paper developed a detailed finite element model for the human L2–L4 lumbar spine segment with or without L3–L4 fusion. The model included vertebrae, intervertebral disc, facet articulating surfaces and various ligaments. A previously developed hyperelastic fibre-reinforced constitutive model was used to characterize the material property of annulus fibrosus. Numerical results of L3–L4 motion unit such as load–displacement curves and nucleus pressure were compared with experimental data to validate the FE model. The normal and fused lumbar spine segments under various loading conditions, such as flexion, extension and axial rotation, were analysed. The motion range and stress distribution of the L2–L4 models under different loading conditions were then obtained to investigate the effect of lumbar fusion operation. It was shown that under the same loading condition, the fused model had a much smaller body motion range. Interbody fusion brought out obviously different stress distribution in adjacent intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus. And it also increased the intradiscal pressure of adjacent intervertebral disc significantly.     

腰椎椎间植骨融合有限元分析

为了评估植骨融合术对腰椎运动和应力分布的影响, 利用影像诊断技术(CT扫描) 和CAD三维重建技术获得人体腰椎三维模型, 椎间盘纤维环采用各向异 性纤维加强超弹性本构模型, 建立了包括椎体、椎间盘和韧带的正常有限元模型以 及L3-L4融合的腰椎L2-L4节段有限元模型, 并通过对比模拟和实验结果验证其有效 性. 利用商业有限元软件ABAQUS/Standard 进行前屈、后伸和轴向旋转载荷情况下 的模拟分析, 对比两种模型在不同状态下的运动范围及应力分布情况. 模拟结果显 示: 在相同的载荷情况下, 融合模型的运动范围和正常模型相比明显偏小; 相邻椎 体的应力分布与正常模型明显不同, 但植骨融合对相邻椎间盘的影响相对较小. 此 外, 小关节对维持脊椎正常生理功能起着重要作用, 小关节功能丧失会使相应节 段的椎间盘髓核压力增大.     

人体腰椎生物力学的某些基本问题

本文就人体腰段脊柱生物力学的某些基本问题的研究现状与进展进行述评。介绍了腰椎各组成部分包括椎体、椎间盘、椎弓、韧带以及脊髓的力学性能,对其运动学和运动力学进行了讨论,最后就腰椎的力学模型主要是有限元模型的研究作了简单的回顾。      

腰椎力学分析的数值模拟与实验研究

采用数值模拟和实验测试技术对两种不同内固定法的腰椎模型进行应力和变形分析,基于CT图像建立L4-S1的三维数值模型,经ANSYS计算分析得出五种工况下的终板应力值;在实验中采用了一种薄膜压力测试传感器结合图像处理的方法,提高测试椎间盘压力分布的精度;同时采用数字图像相关技术对腰椎骨上下关节突在承载情况下的空间位移进行了测量,获得了腰椎间盘（L3-L4）在承受轴压、前屈后伸和侧弯情况下的压力分布,以及对应的关节突的位移迹线。结果表明：本研究采用的数值分析技术和实验开发的测试技术可操作性强,精度满足要求,有望在类似的生物力学分析中得到应用。     

基于多孔弹性模型的脊椎关节生物力学特性和体液流动特性研究

建立了L4/L5段人体腰椎关节的非线性多孔弹性有限元模型,并对其施加1000N振动载荷1h,考察在不同的振动频率(1Hz、4Hz、8Hz、11.5Hz、15Hz)下腰椎关节的变形、应力分布和体液流动情况;并对不同频率作用下脊椎组织的生物力学特性进行了对比分析。结果表明,在不同频率振动载荷下,脊椎模型的应力分配、体液流量都呈现与振动载荷不同的周期性波动变化。振动载荷频率等于腰椎关节的固有频率11.5Hz时,椎间盘应力分配和体液流量波动的幅值最短;而振动频率为4Hz、8Hz、15Hz时各项指标波动的幅值比11.5Hz时小。振动过程中,椎间盘内外压力梯度的变化引起体液的流动,振动时间越长,总流失量越大。     

瞬态载荷下L4/L5椎间盘内流固耦合效应

中医正脊治疗通过对腰椎施加瞬态拉伸和旋转来治疗腰椎间盘退变, 本文采用考虑流固耦合效应的数值模拟研究其生物力学机制. 通过实验测量和文献调研, 确定了合理的拉伸和旋转的载荷参数; 发展了使用人体断层扫描图像结合解剖学数据建立详细腰椎几何模型的方法; 将松质骨、终板、椎间盘考虑为多孔弹性介质, 其他组织考虑为线性弹性介质, 进而建立了考虑生物组织中流固耦合效应的物理模型; 通过数值模拟得到了不同瞬态载荷及其组合作用下椎间盘内应力?应变与流体流动的变化规律. 研究发现, 瞬态载荷通过改变L4/L5椎间盘基质应力和髓核内外压力梯度, 在髓核中产生流体流动; 拉伸加载引起流体先流出髓核、再流入髓核, 产生含水量变化; 顺时针旋转加载在髓核左右产生相反的流动, 髓核右侧的含水量变化较左侧大. 本研究所采用的方法为流动过程相关的人体椎间盘退变病理生理机制研究提供了新的方法, 为中医正脊研究提供科学化思路, 也为相关的力学-生物学耦合研究和髓核再生的基础研究提供了一个切入点.      

Deduction of Spinal Loading from Vertebral Body Surface Strain Measurements

The lumbar intervertebral disc, the apparent nexus of low back pain, undergoes biomechanical changes during its degeneration which are as yet poorly understood. In an effort to ultimately examine in vivo daily activity loads across intervertebral discs, we engaged in the following methodological study. The aim of this research was to correlate vertebral body surface strains with the loads across a lumbar spine segment. Rosette strain gages were affixed anterolaterally on L4 and L5 in a macaque monkey model. These tissues were loaded axially and with sagittal plane moments and the principal strains were compared with the applied loads. Predictable axial and sagittal plane loading profiles were found for similar strain measurements and the system was found to be robust through freezing and thawing. These results support future research aimed at quantifying the in vivo disc mechanics of healthy and degenerate tissues in an attempt to develop prevention or intervention strategies to ease those afflicted with low back pain.     

A control volume finite element method for three-dimensional three-phase flows

A novel control volume finite element method with adaptive anisotropic unstructured meshes is presented for three-dimensional three-phase flows with interfacial tension. The numerical framework consists of a mixed control volume and finite element formulation with a new P₁DG-P₂ elements (linear discontinuous velocity between elements and quadratic continuous pressure between elements). A “volume of fluid” type method is used for the interface capturing, which is based on compressive control volume advection and second-order finite element methods. A force-balanced continuum surface force model is employed for the interfacial tension on unstructured meshes. The interfacial tension coefficient decomposition method is also used to deal with interfacial tension pairings between different phases. Numerical examples of benchmark tests and the dynamics of three-dimensional three-phase rising bubble, and droplet impact are presented. The results are compared with the analytical solutions and previously published experimental data, demonstrating the capability of the present method.     

一种新的岩石非线性损伤蠕变模型

为描述岩石加速蠕变阶段的非线性变形规律,在广义开尔文体基础上串联一个村山体,基于Kachanov损伤率理论,建立了损伤变量D与蠕变时间的函数关系,并根据Lemaitre应变等效原理将村山体中的无损模型参数p用有效模型参数p(1-D)代替,以此来表征岩石加速蠕变阶段的非线性,建立了一种新的非线性损伤蠕变模型;根据广义塑性力学理论给出了该模型的三维蠕变方程;采用Levenberg-Marquardt非线性优化最小二乘法对红砂岩和绿片岩常规三轴压缩蠕变试验数据进行拟合,反演得到这两种岩石的蠕变模型参数。拟合结果表明:拟合曲线与试验曲线的拟合相关系数R2分别为0.999和0.992,说明该蠕变模型能较好地反映这两种岩石各阶段的蠕变曲线特征。     

Hamiltonian parametric element and semi-analytical solution for smart laminated plates

Based on the Hellinger-Reissner (H-R) mixed variational principle for piezoelectric material, a unified 4-node Hamiltonian isoparametric element of anisotropy piezoelectric material is established. A new semi-analytical solution for the natural vibration of smart laminated plates and the transient response of the laminated cantilever with piezoelectric patch is presented. The major steps of mathematical model are as follows: the piezoelectric layer and host layer of laminated plate are considered as unattached three-dimensional bodies and discretized by the Hamiltonian isoparametric elements. The control equation of whole structure is derived by considering the compatibility of generalized displacements and generalized stresses on the interface between layers. There is no restriction for the side-face geometrical boundaries, the thickness and the number of layers of plate by the use of the present isoparametric element. Present method has wide application area.     

Development and validation of a viscoelastic finite element model of an L2/L3 motion segment

The prediction of the time dependent response of the spine to dynamic loading conditions is essential in understanding the injury mechanisms leading to occupationally related low back disorders (OLBD). Many previous finite element (FE) models of the lumbar spine have over-simplified the geometry and the material properties of their elements, yielding results limited generalizability. This study reports on the development and validation of a nonlinear viscoelastic FE model that can quantify the mechanical responses of the L2/L3 motion segment to time varying external loads. This model was developed by consideration of the intrinsic material properties of its individual constituents. A piecewise parameter identification method was adopted due to the inherent complexity in determining the role and contribution of each element to the overall behavior of the motion segment. The results of simulation of four loading conditions (quasistatic, constant loading rate, creep and cyclic relaxation) showed a satisfactory agreement with experimental observations in the literature. The detailed estimates of the state of stress/strain of this validated FE model can be used to test the role of epidemiological risk factors such as prolonged awkward posture, speed of lift (strain rate effect) and complex repetitive loading in OLBD.     

Nonlinear finite element analysis of inflatable beams made from orthotropic woven fabric

This paper was devoted to the three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis of inflatable beams. The beams under consideration are made of modern textile materials and can be used as a load-bearing beams or arches when inflated. A 3D Timoshenko beam with a homogeneous orthotropic woven fabric (OWF) was proposed. The model took into account the geometric nonlinearities and the follower force resulting from the inflation pressure. The use was made of the usual total Lagrangian form of the virtual work principle to perform the nonlinear equilibrium equations which were discretized by the finite element method. Two kinds of solutions were then investigated: finite elements solutions for linearized problems which were obtained by the means of the linearization around the prestressed reference configuration of the nonlinear equations and nonlinear finite element solutions which were performed by the use of an optimization algorithm based on the Quasi-Newton method. As an example, the bending problem of a cantilever inflated beam under concentrated load was considered and the deflection results improve the existing theoretical models. As these beams are made from fabric, the beam models were validated through their comparison with a 3D thin-shell finite element model. The influence of the material effective properties and the inflation pressure on the beam response was also investigated through a parametric study. The finite elements solutions for linearized problems were found to be close to the theoretical results existing in the literature. On the other hand, the results for the nonlinear finite element model were shown to be close to the results for the linearized finite elements model in the case of high mechanical properties and the nonlinear finite element model was used to improve the linearized model when the mechanical properties of the fabric are low.     

Modeling and prediction of bulk properties of open-cell carbon foam

The emerging ultralightweight material, carbon foam, was modeled with three-dimensional microstructures to develop a basic understanding in correlating microstructural configuration with bulk performance of open-cell foam materials. Because of the randomness and complexity of the microstructure of the carbon foam, representative cell ligaments were first characterized in detail at the microstructural level. The salient microstructural characteristics (or properties) were then correlated with the bulk properties through the present model. In order to implement the varying anisotropic nature of material properties in the foam ligaments, we made an attempt to use a finite element method to implement such variation along the ligaments as well as at a nodal point where the ligaments meet. The model was expected to provide a basis for establishing a process-property relationship and optimizing foam properties.The present model yielded a fairly reasonable prediction of the effective bulk properties of the foams. We observed that the effective elastic properties of the foams were dominated by the bending mode associated with shear deformation. The effective Young's modulus of the foam was strongly influenced by the ligament moduli, but was not influenced by the ligament Poisson's ratio. The effective Poisson's ratio of the foam was practically independent of the ligament Young's modulus, but dependent on the ligament Poisson's ratio. The effective Young's modulus of the carbon foam was dependent more on the transverse Young's modulus and the shear moduli of the foam ligaments, but less significantly on the ligament longitudinal Young's modulus. A parametric study indicated that the effective Young's modulus was significantly improved by increasing the solid modulus in the middle of the foam ligaments, but nearly invariant with that at the nodal point where the ligaments meet. Therefore, appropriate processing schemes toward improving the transverse and shear properties of the foam ligaments in the middle section of the ligaments rather than at the nodal points are highly desirable for enhancing the bulk moduli of the carbon foam.     

A new nonlinear multibody/finite element formulation for knee joint ligaments

The focus of this investigation is to study the mechanics of the human knee using a new method that integrates multibody system and large deformation finite element algorithms. The major bones in the knee joint consisting of the femur, tibia, and fibula are modeled as rigid bodies. The ligaments structures are modeled using the large displacement finite element absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) with an implementation of a Neo-Hookean constitutive model that allows for large change in the configuration as experienced in knee flexion, extension, and rotation. The Neo-Hookean strain energy function used in this study takes into consideration the near incompressibility of the ligaments. The ANCF is used in the formulation of the algebraic equations that define the ligament/bone rigid connection. A unique feature of the ANCF model developed in this investigation is that it captures the deformation of the ligament cross section using structural finite elements such as beams. At the ligament/bone insertion site, the ANCF is used to define a fully constrained joint. This model will reflect the fact that the geometry, placement and attachment of the two collateral ligaments (the LCL and MCL), are significantly different from what has been used in most knee models developed in previous investigations. The approach described in this paper will provide a more realistic model of the knee and thus more applicable to future research studies on ligaments, muscles and soft tissues (LMST). Current finite element models are limited due to simplified assumptions for the spatial and time dependent material properties inherent in the anisotropic and anatomic constraints associated with joint stability, and the static conditions inherent in the analysis. The ANCF analysis is not limited to static conditions and results in a fully dynamic model that accounts for the distributed inertia and elasticity of the ligaments. The results obtained in this investigation show that the ANCF finite elements can be an effective tool for modeling very flexible structures like ligaments subjected to large flexion and extension. In the future, the more realistic ANCF models could assist in examining the mechanics of the knee to study knee injuries and possible prevention means, as well as an improved understanding of the role of each individual ligament in the diagnosis and assessment of disease states, aging and potential therapies.     

Homogenization towards a mechanistic Rigid Body and Spring Model (HRBSM) for the non-linear dynamic analysis of 3D masonry structures

A mechanistic model with rigid elements and interfaces suitable for the non-linear dynamic analysis of full scale 3D masonry buildings is presented. The model relies into two steps: in the first step, a simplified homogenization is performed at the meso-scale to deduce the mechanical properties of a macroscopic material, to be used in structural applications; the second step relies into the implementation of a Rigid Body and Spring Model (RBSM) constituted by rigid elements linked with homogenized interfaces. In the homogenization step, a running bond elementary cell is discretized with 24 three-node plane-stress elastic triangular elements and non-linear interfaces representing mortar joints. It is shown how the mechanical problem in the unit cell is characterized by few displacement variables and how homogenized stress–strain curves can be evaluated by means of a semi-analytical approach. The second step relies on the implementation of the homogenized curves into a RBSM, where an entire masonry structure can be analyzed in the non-linear dynamic range through a discretization with rigid elements and inelastic interfaces. Non-linear structural analyses are conducted on a church façade interconnected with a portion of the perpendicular walls and on a small masonry building, for which experimental and numerical data are available in the literature, in order to show how quite reliable results may be obtained with a limited computational effort.     

人耳传声数值模型

根据健康志愿者(右耳)完整的CT数据,建立了包括外耳道、鼓膜、听骨链、中耳韧带/肌肉以及内耳液体在内的有限元模型,真实完整地再现了其复杂结构及边界约束. 通过鼓膜和镫骨底板位移模拟结果和文献实验数据的比较,说明了本数值模型是可信的. 利用模型进行了外耳、中耳和内耳的声固耦合分析,研究了外耳道、镫砧关节和内耳液体对传声机制的影响. 研究结果表明建立的人耳三维有限元模型对研究其声学力学特性是有效的.      

Recursive super-convergence computation for multi-dimensional problems via one-dimensional element energy projection technique

This paper presents a strategy for computation of super-convergent solutions of multi-dimensional problems in the finite element method (FEM) by recursive application of the one-dimensional (1D) element energy projection (EEP) technique. The main idea is to conceptually treat multi-dimensional problems as generalized 1D problems, based on which the concepts of generalized 1D FEM and its consequent EEP formulae have been developed in a unified manner. Equipped with these concepts, multi-dimensional problems can be recursively discretized in one dimension at each step, until a fully discretized standard finite element (FE) model is reached. This conceptual dimension-by-dimension (D-by-D) discretization procedure is entirely equivalent to a full FE discretization. As a reverse D-by-D recovery procedure, by using the unified EEP formulae together with proper extraction of the generalized nodal solutions, super-convergent displacements and first derivatives for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) problems can be obtained over the domain. Numerical examples of 3D Poisson’s equation and elasticity problem are given to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy.     

Iterative stabilization of the bilinear velocity–constant pressure element

Some finite element approximations of incompressible flows, such as those obtained with the bilinear velocity–constant pressure element (Q₁?P₀), are well known to be unstable in pressure while providing reasonable results for the velocity. We shall see that there exists a subspace of piecewise constant pressures that leads to a stable approximation. The main drawback associated with this subspace is the necessity of assembling groups of elements, the so-called ‘macro-elements’, which increases dramatically the bandwidth of the system. We study a variant of Uzawa's method which enables us to work in the desired subspace without increasing the bandwidth of the system. Numerical results show that this method is efficient and can be made to work at a low extra cost. The method can easily be generalized to other problems and is very attractive in three-dimensional cases.     

应力强度因子分析的三角形Williams单元

弹性断裂分析的Williams广义参数单元计算模型中忽略了紧邻裂尖的微区域,为了进一步完善该计算模型,本文提出并建立了三角形Williams单元。首先围绕裂尖将奇异区均匀分割为有限个三角形单元,利用改进的Williams级数建立该单元的整体位移场计算模型;其次沿径向将该三角形单元进一步离散为多个相似四边形微单元和裂尖三角形微单元,并利用经典有限元理论建立微单元的局部位移场计算模型;然后利用整体位移场控制各微单元结点位移,并在此基础上研究建立裂尖奇异区三角形Williams单元及其控制方程。该单元模型中含有与裂尖应力强度因子相关的参数,能够直接计算裂尖处的应力强度因子。最后结合算例详细分析了三角形Williams单元计算模型中径向离散因子、离散数、Williams级数项对计算结果的影响。算例分析表明,三角形Williams单元所得的应力强度因子具有对奇异区尺寸不敏感的优点,且收敛快,计算精度高。     

材料三维微结构表征及其晶体塑性有限元模拟

材料的力学性能，尤其是在有限变形下所呈现的宏观各向异性，是材料结构设计和服役寿命考虑的关键因素。由于宏观模型不能较好地反映材料微观结构（晶粒的形貌和取向等）对宏观塑性各向异性的影响，因此，本文建立了能实际反映晶粒形貌的三维Voronoi模型，并基于晶体塑性理论对铝合金在有限变形下的响应进行计算。首先，建立反映材料微结构的代表性体积单元RVE模型进行计算，并与实验结果进行对比验证。然后，以单向拉伸为例，分析了有限变形过程中试件的晶粒形貌和取向分布等微观因素对宏观各向异性演化的影响，并从材料和结构两个层面讨论了微观结构对宏观力学性能的影响。结果表明，本文模型能够反映微观结构对宏观力学性能的影响，为实际生产制造领域构件的力学性能提供可靠的预测。