Influence of pubic symphysis stiffness on pelvis stress distribution during single leg stance

Poster (2018, July 09)

Modeling of a prestressed concrete bridge with 3D finite elements for structural health monitoring using model updating techniques

in ISMA2018 International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering (2018)

This paper presents a linear finite element model for a prestressed concrete beam, which was part of a real bridge. Static and dynamic tests were carried out and compared to the numerical simulation ... [more ▼]

This paper presents a linear finite element model for a prestressed concrete beam, which was part of a real bridge. Static and dynamic tests were carried out and compared to the numerical simulation responses. A solid finite element model was created including the prestressed concrete beam, permanent dead load, two additional live loads and a shaker. A well planned finite element model is very important for later detection and localization of damage. Therefore, a mapped mesh was used to define so-called ‘slices’, which enables describing stiffness changes, e.g. damage. The model validation was performed by comparing simulated results to measured responses in the healthy state of the beam. After validation of the reference model, it is possible to modify the bending stiffness along the longitudinal axis of the beam by modifying Young’s moduli of different slices to adapt for the effect of damage. [less ▲]

Static and fatigue strength of a novel anatomically contoured implant compared to five current open-wedge high tibial osteotomy plates

in Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics (2017), 4(39),

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to compare the mechanical static and fatigue strength of the size 2 osteotomy plate “Activmotion” with the following five other common implants for ... [more ▼]

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to compare the mechanical static and fatigue strength of the size 2 osteotomy plate “Activmotion” with the following five other common implants for the treatment of medial knee joint osteoarthritis: the TomoFix small stature, the TomoFix standard, the Contour Lock, the iBalance and the second generation PEEKPower. Methods Six fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO), according to standard techniques, using size 2 Activmotion osteotomy plates. All bone-implant constructs were subjected to static compression load to failure and load-controlled cyclic fatigue failure testing, according to a previously defined testing protocol. The mechanical stability was investigated by considering different criteria and parameters: maximum forces, the maximum number of loading cycles, stiffness, the permanent plastic deformation of the specimens during the cyclic fatigue tests, and the maximum displacement range in the hysteresis loops of the cyclic loading responses. Results In each test, all bone-implant constructs with the size 2 Activmotion plate failed with a fracture of the lateral cortex, like with the other five previously tested implants. For the static compression tests the failure occurred in each tested implant above the physiological loading of slow walking (> 2400 N). The load at failure for the Activmotion group was the highest (8200 N). In terms of maximum load and number of cycles performed prior to failure, the size 2 Activmotion plate showed higher results than all the other tested implants except the ContourLock plate. The iBalance implant offered the highest stiffness (3.1 kN/mm) for static loading on the lateral side, while the size 2 Activmotion showed the highest stiffness (4.8 kN/mm) in cyclic loading. Conclusions Overall, regarding all of the analysed strength parameters, the size 2 Activmotion plate provided equivalent or higher mechanical stability compared to the previously tested implant. Implants with a metaphyseal slope adapted to the tibia anatomy, and positioned more anteriorly on the proximal medial side of the tibia, should provide good mechanical stability. [less ▲]

Mechanical strength assessment of a drilled hole in the contralateral cortex at the end of the open wedge for high tibial osteotomy.

in Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics (2017), 4(1),

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate, by means of finite element analysis, the effect of a drill hole at the end of a horizontal osteotomy to reduce the risk of lateral cortex fracture while ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate, by means of finite element analysis, the effect of a drill hole at the end of a horizontal osteotomy to reduce the risk of lateral cortex fracture while performing an opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). The question was whether drilling a hole relieves stress and increases the maximum correction angle without fracture of the lateral cortex depending on the ductility of the cortical bone. METHODS: Two different types of osteotomy cuts were considered; one with a drill hole (diameter 5 mm) and the other without the hole. The drill holes were located about 20 mm distally to the tibial plateau and 6 mm medially to the lateral cortex, such that the minimal thickness of the contralateral cortical bone was 5 mm. Based on finite element calculations, two approaches were used to compare the two types of osteotomy cuts considered: (1) Assessing the static strength using local stresses following the idea of the FKM-guideline, subsequently referred to as the "FKM approach" and (2) limiting the total strain during the opening of the osteotomy wedge, subsequently referred to as "strain approach". A critical opening angle leading to crack initiation in the opposite lateral cortex was determined for each approach and was defined as comparative parameter. The relation to bone aging was investigated by considering the material parameters of cortical bones from young and old subjects. RESULTS: The maximum equivalent (von-Mises) stress was smaller for the cases with a drill hole at the end of the osteotomy cut. The critical angle was approximately 1.5 times higher for the specimens with a drill hole compared to those without. This corresponds to an average increase of 50%. The calculated critical angle for all approaches is below 5°. The critical angle depends on the used approach, on patient's age and assumed ductility of the cortical bone. CONCLUSIONS: Drilling a hole at the end of the osteotomy reduces the stresses in the lateral cortex and increases the critical opening angle prior to cracking of the opposite cortex in specimen with small correction angles. But the difference from having a drill hole or not is not so significant, especially for older patients. The ductility of the cortical bone is the decisive parameter for the critical opening angle. [less ▲]

Model updating for structural health monitoring using static and dynamic measurements

in Procedia Engineering (2017), 199

Structural health monitoring is tracking static or dynamic characteristics of a structure to identify and localize stiffness reductions for damage detection. Different damage indicators are used and any ... [more ▼]

Structural health monitoring is tracking static or dynamic characteristics of a structure to identify and localize stiffness reductions for damage detection. Different damage indicators are used and any indicator presents advantages and drawbacks. Hence the idea comes up to combine them in a model-updating procedure using a finite element model. In a first step, a model is fit to match the healthy reference state of the examined structure. Therefore it relies on minimizing a special objective function adding and weighting the differences between measured and calculated static and dynamic structural characteristics. For doing structural health monitoring the measurements are repeated in distinct time intervals and the finite element model is updated again, using the same objective function and minimization procedure. Damage can be identified and localized by highlighting reductions in the stiffness matrix of the model compared to the initial model. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by in-situ tests, where a single beam is examined that was part of a real prestressed concrete bridge. For static tests, 8 displacement transducers were disposed along the length of 40m, while the beam was mass-loaded and the deflection line is analyzed. Modal analysis was performed with swept sine excitation with constant force amplitude to identify eigenfrequencies and mode shapes. Stepwise artificial damage was provoked by cutting multiple prestressed tendons inside the concrete beam. A finite element model with a mapped mesh was created, allowing a variation of Young’s modulus in grouped sections. On real bridges temperature is neither homogenous nor constant over time, which often has a considerable influence on measured static and dynamic characteristics as the stiffness of asphalt and/or bearings can be affected. The proposed methods show their efficiency when temperature effects were excluded or compensated after measurement, which is a topic on its own and not discussed here. [less ▲]

Biomechanik neuer Implantate für die HTO

in Orthopade (Der) (2017), 46(7), 583-595

Biomechanical characteristics of 5 tibial osteotomy plates for the treatment of medial knee joint osteoarthritis were examined. Fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a medial open-wedge high ... [more ▼]

Biomechanical characteristics of 5 tibial osteotomy plates for the treatment of medial knee joint osteoarthritis were examined. Fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy, using TomoFix™ standard, PEEKPower®, ContourLock®, TomoFix™ small stature plates, and iBalance® implants. Static compression load to failure and load-controlled cyclic fatigue failure tests were performed. All plates had sufficient stability up to 2400 N in the static compression load to failure tests. Screw breakage in the iBalance® group and opposite cortex fractures in all constructs occurred at lower loading conditions. The highest fatigue strength in terms of maximal load and number of cycles performed prior to failure was observed for the ContourLock® group followed by the iBalance® implants, the TomoFix™ standard and small stature plates. PEEKPower® had the lowest fatigue strength. All plates showed sufficient stability under static loading. Compared to the TomoFix™ and the PEEKPower® plates, the ContourLock® plate and iBalance® implant showed a higher mechanical fatigue strength during cyclic fatigue testing, suggesting that both mechanical static and fatigue strength increase with a wider proximal T‑shaped plate design together with diverging proximal screws. Mechanical strength of the bone–implant constructs decreases with a narrow T‑shaped proximal end design and converging proximal screws (TomoFix™) or a short vertical plate design (PEEKPower®). Published results indicate high fusion rates and good clinical results with the TomoFix™ plate, which is contrary to our findings. A certain amount of interfragmentary motion rather than high mechanical strength and stiffness seem to be important for bone healing which is outside the scope of this paper. [less ▲]

Post-occupancy evaluation of residential buildings in Luxembourgwith centralized and decentralized ventilation systems, focusing onindoor air quality (IAQ). Assessment by questionnaires and physicalmeasurements

in Energy and Buildings (2017), 148

tComplete knowledge about habits of the occupants, including their opinions regarding ventilation sys-tems is an important condition for reducing the consumption of natural resources and improving ... [more ▼]

tComplete knowledge about habits of the occupants, including their opinions regarding ventilation sys-tems is an important condition for reducing the consumption of natural resources and improving indoorcomfort. In addition, uncomforted occupants tend to take measures to improve their situation, whichmay increase energy consumption. Advanced thermal models for buildings can perhaps predict interac-tions between the IAQ determinants, e.g. energy consumption, ventilation and comfort, but do not takeinto account the behavior of residents. By questionnaires and physical measurements this study evalu-ated dwellings equipped partly with centralized and partly with decentralized ventilation systems withheat recovery. This field study involved two post-occupied residential buildings situated in the city ofEsch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, during spring season 2015. Thus, both the physical measurements andquestionnaires were considered. The results obtained demonstrated that more than 80% of the residentswere satisfied and the perceived IAQ was judged “normal”, “good” or even “very good”. Furthermore,the measurements performed detected in some cases malfunction of ventilation devices, wherefore theoccupants were unable. [less ▲]

Untersuchung des thermischen Komforts und der Luftqualität an vier neuen energieeffizienten Luxemburger Schulen mit und ohne Lüftungsanlagen

in Bauphysik (2017), 39. Jahrgang

A study was conducted in four new energy efficient schools in Luxembourg with excellent primary energy consumption values, where the indoor thermal comfort and the air quality was assessed by technical ... [more ▼]

A study was conducted in four new energy efficient schools in Luxembourg with excellent primary energy consumption values, where the indoor thermal comfort and the air quality was assessed by technical measurements and by surveys. Two schools were equipped with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and two were without, i.e. ventilation there was manually controlled by opening the windows. Further to the C02-concentration as indicator for the air quality all other important comfort parameters were measured, why the well-known indicators according to FANGER could be calculated, i.e. the „Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)“ and the „Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD)“. The individual perceived indoor comfort was analyzed by standardized questionnaires for a period of four weeks. One aim of the study was to compare natural ventilation by opening and closing the windows with the mechanical ventilation in all named aspects. In total there was a good agreement between the measurements and the survey. The results show that in general mechanical ventilation in schools lead to better physical measured values and to better subjective perception of the users. However those buildings suffer from a very low relative humidity, though it is rarely sensed by the occupants. Furthermore, in one of the mechanically ventilated buildings the air velocity was very high and led to draft-perception. The detected air temperature was heterogeneous and independent of the ventilation concept, leading to an individual judgement of PMV for the different buildings. Users should always have the possibility of interaction and control to adjust the indoor climate according to their individual needs and to correct smaller technical shortcomings. [less ▲]

Static load testing with temperature compensation for structural health monitoring of bridges

in Engineering Structures (2016), 127(2016), 700-718

The paper presents a series of repeated static loading tests on a prestressed concrete beam, which was originally part of a real bridge and then subjected to stepwise artificial damage. The tests were ... [more ▼]

The paper presents a series of repeated static loading tests on a prestressed concrete beam, which was originally part of a real bridge and then subjected to stepwise artificial damage. The tests were done during a one-month period that four levels of damage were introduced by cutting tendons until visible cracking occurred. The deflection line was measured by means of several displacement sensors and the retrieved information is used in different ways for damage detection. At first, the sensor spacing requirement is analyzed with respect to measurement accuracy as well as necessary resolution for the numerical derivations of the deflection line to obtain the rotational angle and the curvature of the beam. These derived quantities may be used as damage indicators in addition to the deflection. Damage of concrete goes very often along with non-linear phenomena like cracking of concrete and plastic strain of reinforcement steel. These effects are discussed and their influence on the repeated loading tests as well the test procedure for condition monitoring is deployed. Progressive damage goes along with progressive sagging of the bridge due to gravity, which can also be used as damage indicator. Finally, the effect of varying outdoor temperatures are discussed and assessed. Though these effects can be reduced by choosing cloudy days without high temperature changes and without high solar irradiation, the outdoor temperature is never constant. Hence, a compensation algorithm is proposed which reflects the measured data according to a reference temperature. This compensation visibly improved the regularity of data. [less ▲]

Ein Vergleich der nationalen Berechnungsvorschriften zur Gesamtenergieeffizienz und deren Realverbrauch anhand von 14 Bürogebäuden in Luxemburg, Deutschland, Belgien, der Schweiz und in Frankreich

in Bauphysik (2016), 38

Die EU-Mitgliedsstaaten sind gemäß den Richtlinien 2002/91/EG und 2010/31/EU verpflichtet, die Gesamtenergieeffizienz von Gebäuden abhängig von ihrer Art der Nutzung zu ermitteln und in einem Energiepass ... [more ▼]

Die EU-Mitgliedsstaaten sind gemäß den Richtlinien 2002/91/EG und 2010/31/EU verpflichtet, die Gesamtenergieeffizienz von Gebäuden abhängig von ihrer Art der Nutzung zu ermitteln und in einem Energiepass zu belegen. Die Ausgestaltung der Details des Berechnungsverfahrens und der Grenzwerte obliegt den Mitgliedsstaaten, denen man damit einen nationalen Entscheidungsspielraum zugesteht. Für 14 bestehende einfache kleinere Bürogebäude ohne Lüftung und Klimatisierung wurden die Berechnungen der Gesamtenergieeffizienz nach den jeweiligen Berechnungsmethoden durchgeführt und mit dem gemessenen realen Verbrauch verglichen. Die Abweichungen zwischen der berechneten Endenergie und dem tatsächlichen Verbrauch betragen zwar bis über 100% beim einzelnen Objekt, aber nur ca. + 28 % im Mittel bei der Heizenergie und nur wenige Prozent beim Strom, allerdings unter Annahme eines geschätzten Stromverbrauchs für die Büroausstattung. Die Abweichungen bei der Heizenergie und beim Strom können als gut bezeichnet werden. [less ▲]