Sharif Digital Repository

Given measurement difficulties, earlier modeling studies have often used some constant ratios to predict lumbar segmental kinematics from measurements of total lumbar kinematics. Recent imaging studies suggested distribution of lumbar kinematics across its vertebrae changes with trunk rotation, lumbar posture, and presence of load. An optimization-based method is presented and validated in this study to predict segmental kinematics from measured total lumbar kinematics. Specifically, a kinematics-driven biomechanical model of the spine is used in a heuristic optimization procedure to obtain a set of segmental kinematics that, when prescribed to the model, were associated with the minimum... 

In this research, the feasibility of friction-stir welding (FSW) for dissimilar lap-joining of an aluminium-magnesium alloy (AA5058) and poly-methyl-methacrylate sheets to attain sound and defect-free joints was examined. The inter-mixing flow patterns between the metal and polymer counterparts during FSW were predicted by employing three-dimensional finite element models. It is shown that the bonding mechanism between the dissimilar materials is mechanical interlocking at the interface which controls the joint strength depending on the processing parameters. The most suitable dissimilar lap-joining regarding microstructural soundness is attained at w= 1600 rev min−1 and v = 25 mm min−1.... 

A diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) -based statistical micromechanical model was developed to study the effect of axonal fiber architecture on the inter- and intra-regional mechanical heterogeneity of the white matter. Three characteristic regions within the white matter, i.e., corpus callosum, brain stem, and corona radiata, were studied considering the previous observations of locations of diffuse axonal injury. The embedded element technique was used to create a fiber-reinforced model, where the fiber was characterized by a Holzapfel hyperelastic material model with variable dispersion of axonal orientations. A relationship between the fractional anisotropy and the dispersion parameter of... 

A diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) -based statistical micromechanical model was developed to study the effect of axonal fiber architecture on the inter- and intra-regional mechanical heterogeneity of the white matter. Three characteristic regions within the white matter, i.e., corpus callosum, brain stem, and corona radiata, were studied considering the previous observations of locations of diffuse axonal injury. The embedded element technique was used to create a fiber-reinforced model, where the fiber was characterized by a Holzapfel hyperelastic material model with variable dispersion of axonal orientations. A relationship between the fractional anisotropy and the dispersion parameter of... 

An analytical approach is proposed for studying the elastic–plastic behavior of short-fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites under tensile loading. In the proposed research, a micromechanical approach is employed, considering an axisymmetric unit cell including one fiber and the surrounding matrix. First, the governing equations and the boundary conditions are derived and the elastic solution is obtained based on some shear-lag-type methods. Since under normal loading conditions and according to the fiber material characteristics, the metal matrix undergoes plastic deformation, while the fiber remains within the elastic region, a plastic deformation is considered for the matrix under each... 

Low back pain is the most prevalent orthopedic disorder and the first main cause of poor working functionality in developed as wells as many developing countries. In Absence of noninvasive in vivo measurement approaches, biomechanical models are used to estimate mechanical loads on human joints during physical activities. To estimate joint loads via musculoskeletal models, the calculation of muscle forces are of importance. It is however difficult to estimate muscle forces as the number of muscles, i.e. unknown parameters, is far more than the existing degrees of freedom; the system is highly redundant. Therefore, in this study, instead of muscle forces estimation, their effects (i.e.,... 

The shape and morphology of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the blood vessels are a good indicator for atheroprone and atheroprotected sites. ECs of blood vessels experience both wall shear stress (WSS) and cyclic stretch (CS). These mechanical stimuli influence the shape and morphology of ECs. A few models have been proposed for predicting the morphology of ECs under WSS or CS. In the present study, a mathematical cell population model is developed to simulate the morphology of ECs under combined WSS and CS conditions. The model considers the cytoskeletal filaments, cell–cell interactions, and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. In addition, the reorientation and polymerization of... 

Vehicular ad hoc networks have attracted the attention of many researchers during the last years due to the emergence of autonomous vehicles and safety concerns. Most of the frameworks which are proposed for the modeling and analysis VANET applications make use of simulation techniques. Due to the high level of concurrency in these applications, simulation results do not guarantee the correct behavior of the system and more accurate analysis techniques are required. In this paper, we have developed a framework to provide model checking facilities for the analysis of VANET applications. To this end, an actor-based modeling language, Rebeca, is used which is equipped with a variety of model... 

In the present study, the in-plane elastic stiffness coefficients of graphene within the framework of first strain gradient theory are calculated on the basis of an accurate molecular mechanics model. To this end, a Wigner–Seitz primitive cell is adopted. Additionally, the first strain gradient theory for graphene with trigonal crystal system is formulated and the relation between elastic stiffness coefficients and molecular mechanics parameters are calculated. Thus, the ongoing research challenge on providing the accurate mechanical properties of graphene is addressed herein. Using results obtained, the in-plane free vibration of graphene is studied and a detailed numerical investigation is... 

In the present study, the in-plane elastic stiffness coefficients of graphene within the framework of first strain gradient theory are calculated on the basis of an accurate molecular mechanics model. To this end, a Wigner–Seitz primitive cell is adopted. Additionally, the first strain gradient theory for graphene with trigonal crystal system is formulated and the relation between elastic stiffness coefficients and molecular mechanics parameters are calculated. Thus, the ongoing research challenge on providing the accurate mechanical properties of graphene is addressed herein. Using results obtained, the in-plane free vibration of graphene is studied and a detailed numerical investigation is... 

To investigate the flow stress evolution in further straining of severely deformed Al sheets, a comprehensive model which considers both mechanical and metallurgical alterations is needed. In this study, constrained groove pressing (CGP) as a severe plastic deformation method, and a flat rolling process for further straining are utilized. Using basic mechanical models, strain and strain rate were calculated for this process. Dislocation density and flow stress evolutions were predicted by utilizing initial mechanical data, considering the ETMB (Y. Estrin, L. S. Toth, A. Molinari, and Y. Brechet) dislocation density model. Based on these model predictions, the combination of the CGP process... 

The effect of welding current and polarity, i.e. AC and DCEN, on imposed thermal cycles, mechanical properties, microstructural events and residual stresses was investigated in GTA welding of AA5052. A three-dimensional thermo-mechanical model was utilized to evaluate thermal responses and residual stresses distribution in the weldments. Tensile testing and hardness measurements were also conducted to study the effect of welding polarity on the mechanical properties of components. Microstructural observations utilizing optical microscopy were carried out to assess the microstructural evolutions. The results show that wide varieties of microstructures are produced in DCEN sample from cells at...