Lecturer: Ferdinando Auricchio  

Course name: Biomechanics and simulation of biomedical devices
Course code: 502499
Degree course: Bioingegneria
Disciplinary field of science: ING-IND/34
University credits: CFU 9
Course website: http://www.unipv.it/compmech/teaching_av.html

Specific course objectives

The course wishes to address the basic biomechanical concepts, introducing also the student to the use of computational tools for the simulation of problems characterized by complex geometrical and/or loading conditions (i.e., cardiovascular prostheses such as stents or other ones of specific interest for the students).

Course programme

• Basic algebra review and introduction to engineering, indicial and tensor notation
• Review of already known mechanical models: material point and rigid body. Their intepretation as models of mechanics of solids.
• Equilibrium of two-dimensional rigid bodies (beams) and their use for the study of biomechanical applications. Introduction to the concept of external and internal constraint (boundary conditions). Computation of constraint reactions.
• Introduction to the study of a one-dimensional deformable body. Traction test. Definition of strain and stress. Discussion of a standard material constitutive response with introduction of elastic and inelastic regions.
• Introduction to the study of a three-dimensional deformable body. Kinematics and definition of strain tensor with discussion of component physical meaning. Equilibrium and definition of stress tensor with discussion of component physical meaning.
• Introduction to the concept of constitutive law and in particular to the case of elastic non-linear and linear response.
• Application of the introduced concepts to the case of biological soft and hard tissues.
• Introduction to the use of a commercial code for the solution of problems relative to three-dimensional deformable bodies. Investigation of applications such as cardiovascular stents or other of specific interest for the students.

Course entry requirements

Basic knowledges of algebra and physics.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Notes prepared by the teacher

Extra material for further studies:

• C.Comi, L. Corradi Dell'Acqua, Introduzione alla meccanica strutturale, McGraw Hill, 2/ed, 2007
• R. Pietrabissa, Biomateriali per protesi e organi artificiali, Patron, 1996
• M. Nordin, V.H. Frankel, Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001
• N.Ozkaya and M.Nordin, Fundamentals of Biomechanics: Equilibrium, Motion, and Deformation Springer, 2010

Testing and exams

Written and oral final exam.