A combined finite element-Langevin dynamics (FEM-LD) approach for analyzing the mechanical response of bio-polymer networks

A Langevin dynamics based formulation is proposed to describe the shape fluctuations of biopolymer filaments. We derive a set of stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) to describe the temporal evolution of the shape of semiflexible filaments and show that the solutions of these equations reduce to predictions from classical modal analysis. A finite element formulation to solve these SPDEs is also developed where, besides entropy, the finite deformation of the filaments has been taken into account. The validity of the proposed finite element-Langevin dynamics (FEM-LD) approach is verified by comparing the simulation results with a variety of theoretical predictions. The method is then applied to study the mechanical behavior of randomly cross-linked F-actin networks. We find that as deformation progresses, the response of such networks undergoes transitions from being entropy dominated to being governed by filament bending and then, eventually, to being dictated by filament stretching. The levels of macroscopic stress at which these transitions take place were found to be around 1% and 10%, respectively, of the initial bulk modulus of the network, in agreement with recent experimental observations.     

双波护栏-汽车碰撞动力响应与吸能机理研究

我国西部山岭重丘区山高谷深,高速公路跨线天桥、弯道及坡道较多,这些特殊路段的防撞设施多采用立柱加密的双波护栏.通过ANSYS/LS-DYNA有限元数值仿真,对加密立柱双波护栏在汽车碰撞作用下的动力响应进行了研究,分析了双波护栏的碰撞能量转换与吸能机理,结果表明加密立柱的双波护栏对车辆碰撞具有良好的吸能、导向作用.