Glycosaminoglycan and Collagen Remodeling During In Vitro Dynamic Compression of Articular Cartilage: Experiments and Finite Element Modeling

The biomechanical properties of articular cartilage (AC) can be altered by chemical and mechanical stimuli. Dynamic unconfined compression (UCC) has been shown to increase biosynthesis at moderate strain amplitudes (1–4%) and frequencies from 0.01Hz. to 0.1Hz [1]. Furthermore, interstitial fluid velocity and maximum principle strain have been proposed as candidates for controlling glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen (COL) remodeling, respectively [2,3]. The goal of this study was to integrate in vitro growth data, including biochemical and microstructural properties, into a computational continuum mixture model to elucidate potential mechanical triggers for AC tissue remodeling.

Effect of Adhesive Thickness and Properties on the Biaxial Interfacial Shear Stresses in Bonded Joints Using a Continuum Mixture Model

In this work, an analytical model based on continuum mixture theories is developed to study the biaxial interfacial shear stresses in adhesive-bonded joints due to thermomechanical loading. The model predicts the effect of adhesive thickness and properties on the interfacial shear stresses. Two sets of governing partial differential equations are solved for the displacement field in each layer of the joint. The interfacial shear stresses between the adhesive and each adherend are determined using the constitutive equations. Numerical results show that both the adhesive thickness and the material properties have a significant effect on the thermomechanically induced interfacial shear stresses between the adherends and the adhesive. The proposed model inherently has the capacity for optimizing the selection of the adhesive thickness and material properties that would yield a more reliable bonded joint.

Direct Chill Casting of Aluminum Alloys: Modeling and Experiments on Industrial Scale Ingots

A continuum mixture model of the direct chill casting process is compared to experimental results from industrial scale aluminum billets. The model, which includes the transport of free-floating solid particles, can simulate the effect of a grain refiner on macrosegregation and fluid flow. It is applied to an Al-6 wt% Cu alloy and the effect of grain refiner on macrosegregation, sump profile, and temperature fields are presented. Two 45 cm diameter billets were cast under production conditions with and without grain refiner. Temperature and composition measurements and sump profiles are compared to the numerical results. The comparison shows some agreement for the grain refined case. It is believed that an incorrect assumption about the actual grain structure prevents good agreement in the non-grain refined billet.

Direct Chill Casting of Aluminum Alloys: Modeling and Experiments on Industrial Scale Ingots

A continuum mixture model of the direct chill casting process is compared to experimental results from industrial scale aluminum billets. The model, which includes the transport of free-floating solid particles, can simulate the effect of a grain refiner on macrosegregation and fluid flow. It is applied to an Al - 6 wt% Cu alloy and the effect of grain refiner on macrosegregation, sump profile, and temperature fields are presented. Two 45 cm diameter billets were cast under production conditions with and without grain refiner. Temperature and composition measurements and sump profiles are compared to the numerical results. The comparison shows excellent agreement for the grain refined case. It is believed that an incorrect assumption about the grain structure prevents good agreement in the non-grain refined billet.