Experimental and numerical assessment of two reconstructive techniques for the fragility fractures of the pelvis type Ia

in Medical Engineering and Physics (2024), 119

Anterior pelvic ring fractures are common in geriatric patients. The Supraacetabular External Fixator (SEF) is a relatively simple and effective surgical procedure. On the other hand, there is the option ... [more ▼]

Anterior pelvic ring fractures are common in geriatric patients. The Supraacetabular External Fixator (SEF) is a relatively simple and effective surgical procedure. On the other hand, there is the option of a Subcutaneous Iliopubic Plate (SIP) osteosynthesis. Only limited comparative biomechanical data of these two devices are available. Therefore, this biomechanical study’s objective was to compare the stabilizing effect of the SEF versus the SIP in a model of Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis (FFP) type Ia. A test stand for pelvic biomechanics testing that emulates the gait loading cycle with physiological relevance was used. The osteotomy on the right pelvic ring was stabilized either with the SEF or the SIP. Strain gauges were used to measure strain in the pelvic ring. The osteotomy’s spatial interfragmentary displacement (SID) was monitored using a 3D digital image correlation system. The SEF stabilization reduced the SID by approximately 10%, whereas the locking SIP could reduce displacement by about 62%. Additionally, the SIP reduced the stress/strain levels by 67% in the posterior pelvic ring. We could demonstrate that the SIP is superior to SEF in treating FFP type Ia as it significantly reduced the osteotomy’s SID and the strain in the posterior pelvic ring. [less ▲]

Developing a Biomechanical Testing Setup of the Pelvis, Part I - Computational Design of Experiments

in Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (2023)

Biomechanics of the human pelvis and the associated implants are still a medical and engineering debated topic. Today, no biomechanical testing setup is dedicated to pelvis testing and associated ... [more ▼]

Biomechanics of the human pelvis and the associated implants are still a medical and engineering debated topic. Today, no biomechanical testing setup is dedicated to pelvis testing and associated reconstructive implants with accepted clinical relevance. This paper uses the Computational Experiment Design procedure to numerically design a biomechanical test stand that emulates the pelvis physiological gait loading. The numerically designed test stand reduces the 57 muscles and joints' contact forces iteratively to only four force actuators. Two hip joints' contact forces and two equivalent muscle forces with a maximum magnitude of 2.3 KN are applied in a bilateral reciprocating action. The stress distribution of the numerical model of the developed test stand is very similar to that of the numerical model of the pelvis with all 57 muscles and joint forces. For instance, at the right arcuate line, the state of stress is identical. However, at the location of superior rami, there is a deviation ranging from 2% to 20% between the two models. The boundary conditions and the nature of loading adopted in this study are more realistic regarding the clinical relevance than state-of-the-art. The numerically developed biomechanical testing setup of the pelvis in this numerical study (part I - Computational Design of Experiments) was found to be valid for the experimental testing of the pelvis. The construct of the testing setup and the experimental testing of an intact pelvis under gait loading is discussed in detail in part II - Experimental Testing. [less ▲]

The role of the bilateral subcutaneous plate in the minimal invasive stabilization of fragility fractures of the pelvis

in Trauma Case Reports (2022), 42

Introduction: Anterior pelvic ring fractures are common in geriatric patients. Current treatment algorithms recommend osteosynthesis if no pain free mobilisation is possible. For this a multitude of ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Anterior pelvic ring fractures are common in geriatric patients. Current treatment algorithms recommend osteosynthesis if no pain free mobilisation is possible. For this a multitude of surgical techniques have been described. Among these the Supraacetabular External Fixator (SEF) is regarded a simple and effective surgical procedure. However, this technique is associated with significant drawbacks. Alternatively, there is the option of an internal fixator or a formal plate osteosynthesis. It is the objective of this case report to present the Subcutaneous Iliopubic Plate (SIP) in a fragility fracture of the anterior and posterior pelvic ring. Case report: An 83-year-old female patient sustained a fracture of the anterior pelvic ring, the lateral sacrum and the medial femoral neck. After initially refusing any surgery, the patient agreed to have the endoprosthesis implanted first, and then secondarily to dorsoventral osteosynthesis of the pelvis. Dorsally a transiliosacral screw osteosynthesis was performed. Anteriorly a bilateral subcutaneous iliopubic plate-osteosynthesis was chosen, a plate position that is anterior to the aponeurosis. Conclusions: The subcutaneous plate has proven to be a quick and uncomplicated surgical procedure that is significantly better tolerated by patients than external stabilization. [less ▲]

AUSLEGUNG eines BIOMECHANISCHEN TESTSTANDES für das BECKEN einschließlich der MUSKELKRÄFTE des GANGZYKLUS

Scientific Conference (2022, October 28)

A Gaussian damage function combined with sliced finite-element meshing for damage detection

in Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring (2022)

Bridges are among the most important components of transportation systems. Timely damage detection of these structures not only ensures reliability but also prevents catastrophic failures. This paper ... [more ▼]

Bridges are among the most important components of transportation systems. Timely damage detection of these structures not only ensures reliability but also prevents catastrophic failures. This paper addresses the damage assessment of bridges based on model updating techniques. Artificial damage was introduced to a beam that was a part of a real prestressed concrete bridge. The magnitude of the damage was increased stepwise, and static loading experiments were conducted in each step. A linear Finite-Element (FE) model with solid elements that were clustered into slices was utilised. A Gaussian bell-shaped curve was used as a damage function to describe the crack location using only three parameters. The experiments focused on sagging under dead load. Damage identification was performed in two steps using a coarse and a refined model. Initially, the FE model with a coarse mesh was updated to approximately localise the damage. Then, the FE model is refined in the vicinity of the approximately localised damage, and damage identification was accurately achieved. The results show that after the second step, the maximum error value of damage localisation is less than 0.5%. This approach could be later used to detect small damages that are not visible. [less ▲]

Integrating technology, education and practice to change energy behaviours in schools

in CLIMA 2022 conference (2022, May)

Schools are learning communities where multiple stakeholders can collaborate to learn about energy efficiency, including via formal curricula, non-formal learning and day-to-day practices. Furthermore, by ... [more ▼]

Schools are learning communities where multiple stakeholders can collaborate to learn about energy efficiency, including via formal curricula, non-formal learning and day-to-day practices. Furthermore, by improving energy literacy among building occupants, the energy efficiency of schools can be improved. However, turning schools into learning communities rather than learning organizations is still problematic. This article details a case study realised in the form of the ENERGE project, which integrates technological, educational and practical activities in 13 post-primary schools from 6 European countries. Owing to an extensive collaboration of diverse stakeholders, the ENERGE project resulted in the origination of a learning community around energy efficiency in the schools. The outcomes of building a learning community within the ENERGE project included: capacity building (in the form of the ENERGE Committees and Teacher Network), the introduction of digital education (via the ENERGE digital platform), development of curriculum-based modules to raise energy literacy, and the establishment of a viable model for expanding ENERGE experience to other schools. The article concludes by explaining the benefits of the ENERGE approach for stakeholders. [less ▲]

Umstellung eines Campingplatzes auf solare Energieversorgung

in Konferenzbeiträge Bauphysiktage Kaiserslautern 2022 (2022), 5

Der fortschreitende Klimawandel verlangt ein Umschwenken, weg von der fossilen Energieversorgung und hin zu den Erneuerbaren, wobei nachhaltige Tourismusangebote auch verstärkt einbezogen werden müssen ... [more ▼]

Der fortschreitende Klimawandel verlangt ein Umschwenken, weg von der fossilen Energieversorgung und hin zu den Erneuerbaren, wobei nachhaltige Tourismusangebote auch verstärkt einbezogen werden müssen. Der Campingplatz Treviris liegt auf dem Gelände des Rudervereins Treviris Trier und verzeichnet jährlich von Mitte April bis Mitte Oktober zwischen 40 und 50.000 Übernachtungen. Im Zuge des Neubaus des Bootshauses wird der vorhandene Gasanschluss zurückgebaut und die gesamte Wärme- und Stromversorgung der Liegenschaft muss auf regenerative Energien umgestellt werden. So soll der Bedarf des Campingplatzes, des Bootshauses (KfW 40 EE), der angegliederten Wohnbebauung mit zehn Wohneinheiten (KfW 40+) sowie mehrere Ladestationen emissionsneutral durch Sonnenenergie versorgt werden. Hauptbestandteile des Konzeptes sind eine 105 kWpeak PV Anlage mit 90 kWh Batteriespeicher sowie zwei Wärmepumpen, die um eine 80 m² hybride solarthermische Photovoltaikanlage (PVT) auf dem Campingplatz ergänzt werden soll. Insbesondere die Warmwasserversorgung des Campingplatzes ist hierbei eine Herausforderung, da die auftretenden Leistungsspitzen von 4m3 Warmwasser (WW) in 2 h nicht ausschließlich mittels Wärmepumpe bereitgestellt werden können. Es wird auf Wärmespeicher mit zentraler Frischwasserstation zurückgegriffen. Für die Dimensionierung der Hauptkomponenten: PVT Feld, Wärmepumpe und Pufferspeicher wird eine Zeitreihenanalyse mit variierendem Bedarf und schwankendem Solarangebot durchgeführt. [less ▲]

Bridge damage assessment based on static and dynamic flexibility matrices

in Bridge Safety, Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle, Resilience and Sustainability (2022)

Being an indispensable part of transportation systems, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of bridges has been increasingly studied. Various SHM techniques not only enhance reliability and safety but also ... [more ▼]

Being an indispensable part of transportation systems, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of bridges has been increasingly studied. Various SHM techniques not only enhance reliability and safety but also reduce maintenance costs. Various bridge deteriorations change the structural properties, such as flexibility and stiffness. Therefore, damage assessment can be achieved by monitoring the structural matrices of bridges and tracking the deviations from the healthy-state or reference data. This paper focuses on damage detection of a prestressed concrete beam from a demolished bridge based on the flexibility matrix. The dynamic and static flexibility matrices are calculated numerically and experimentally when the beam is undamaged. The simulated and measured static flexibility matrices differ by only about 5 %. Additionally, the numerical dynamic flexibility matrix is strongly correlated with static results. The findings of this study can be employed as a basis for future damage detection applications when artificial damage is introduced. [less ▲]

Dichtungsanalyse von Elastomer-O-Ringen unter Hochdruck bei Raum- und Tieftemperatur

in Repplinger, Christian (Ed.) 47. VDI-Jahrestagung: Schadensanalyse 2021 - Wasserstoff in metallischen Bauteilen und Mediale und klimatische Beanspruchung von polymeren Produkten (2021, October)

Verringerung des Temperatureinflusses bei der Überwachung von Brücken am Beispiel von Messdaten aus Luxemburg

Conference given outside the academic context (2021)

A rising number of concrete bridges are showing increasing damage due to corrosion and fatigue. In addition to the regular standard visual inspection, the bridge’s condition can also be recorded using ... [more ▼]

A rising number of concrete bridges are showing increasing damage due to corrosion and fatigue. In addition to the regular standard visual inspection, the bridge’s condition can also be recorded using additional tests with repeated static loading and/or dynamic tests. To determine any damage to a structure and to check its structural stability, it is crucial to know the exact system properties of the bridge in its undamaged reference state. The system behavior is influenced by damage and bearing conditions and environmental influences, such as the structure’s temperature. The influence of temperature can even cause larger changes in the measured quantities (bending line or modal parameters) than real damage. Therefore, temperature effects should be compensated before any condition analysis. The present work aims to demonstrate the influence of different bearing types and temperature on a real bridge beam. For this purpose, various static and dynamic tests were performed in the undamaged reference state. [less ▲]