Projects / Programmes
Modelling in technics and medicine
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.11.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
|
| 2.19.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Traffic systems |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T210 |
Technological sciences |
Mechanical engineering, hydraulics, vacuum technology, vibration and acoustic engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
| 2.01 |
Engineering and Technology |
Civil engineering |
Researchers (19)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The interdisciplinary research programme group consists of researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Faculty of Medicine (both University of Ljubljana). The fields covered by the research group are complementary and create considerable synergy effects. The group's main research activity is modelling of various systems related to traffic, with core areas of research including modelling of mechanical and anatomic structures for investigating system responses to different types of excitation. In addition to using established methods (e.g. multi-body system dynamics, finite element method), the group continually upgrades existing research methods and develops new approaches (e.g. EEMD – Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition, genetic algorithm in material model parameters' identification). Integrated into commercial software packages and expandable, these developed material and mechanical models are used to predict the behaviour, as well as initiation and growth, of damage to metal and non-metal materials under diverse monotone and dynamic loads. As such, they enable modelling of various types of mechanical and biomechanical systems (vehicles, traffic devices, human body). With an aim to address the full scope of traffic system modelling issues, the group carries out investigation and expansion of data links in traffic records databases and develops geoinformation systems designed to determine exposure to traffic accident risk at specific road network sections. Results of most studies conducted by the research group are directly applied to specific software tools for concrete problems. With its research methods and equipment the group is also able to perform studies relating to a wide application area. In this respect, group members conduct biomechanics research related to development of devices for measuring human body loading during exercise, and use their knowledge concerning material models and modelling of structural response in developing anti-explosion protection and magnetic refrigeration devices. Furthermore, the group has designed and implemented a new second-cycle Bologna study programme titled Traffic Safety Systems, which covers active and passive safety of vehicles and road infrastructure as well as load analyses and injuries to vehicle occupants in traffic accidents (human body model). The first generation of students is already completing their studies.
Significance for science
Knowledge and methods for the simulation and analysis of technical systems is developed and applied in various fields of technology and medicine. The fields covered by the research group are complementary, creating considerable synergy effects. As the goals set for these research fields are very coherent, it is our belief that the programme contributes to the progress of the knowledge base on modelling, numerical simulations, measurement methods, materials and medicine.
In the field of biomechanics, the programme helps to improve the knowledge of mechanical properties of anatomic structures. Tensile tests provide detailed understanding of the mechanisms of soft-tissue injuries and give insight into the effects of parameters on the injury threshold when the tissue no longer performs functionally. The dependence of injury threshold upon the strain rate and age of tissue specimen donor will be determined through experiments under physiological conditions. It is estimated that specific solutions obtained in recording constitutive models of selected ligaments can be expanded to other anatomic structures. The research will accelerate progress in soft tissue modelling. Sled testing will provide a detailed insight into the impact response of vehicle occupants and contribute to better understanding of anatomic structure injury mechanisms. An analysis of tissue stress and strain occurring in a given anatomic region will form the basis for determining critical impact loads and defining new injury criteria. A simulation with the developed parametric human body model can explain the effect of changes in vehicle design, crash conditions and body type on the occurrence and severity of injuries.
The SPH method is new in performing num. studies of the vehicle dynamic response on blast load and it is therefore essential to investigate its application value for analysing the impact of blast on structures. The response of a blast loaded vehicle can be used as input data for a numerical analysis studying the impact of the blast on vehicle occupant loads.
Fundamental research methods will be used to determine the suitability of the applied approach to such cases at several levels. As several methods and exp. verification will be used, the results of each method as well as the results from co-simulation will be assessed and evaluated.
Development of models and tools for determining traffic accident probability will test the usability of methods for detection of patterns and connections in the data collected, stored and managed by various institutions. The emphasis will be mainly on searching for patterns in heterogeneous collections of geometry, numerical and image data. The largest quantity of publicly available data used will enable a more detailed analysis of the suitability of various data storage methods and pattern detection methods. We expect that the findings will be useful in similar databases relating either to traffic safety or other databases with similar data.
Significance for the country
Society pays high costs for traffic- and work-related accidents in terms of health care and other things connected. Efforts to improve safety have direct social and economic effects, in particular in the harsh economic conditions. The developed tools for determining exposure to traffic accident risk at various spots or road sections will be available to end users of varying profiles. These include all stakeholders involved in the process of collecting, preparing and analysing traffic safety data as well as the decision-makers who adopt measures for improvement. After the database has been established and the mechanisms for detection of patterns and connections have been put in place, the general public will get a better picture of this issue. The interdisciplinary nature of research and development and the possibility for the results to be used by various institutions and at many political levels will generate a positive effect on traffic safety and the efficiency of transport system planning.
Slovenia is a traditional exporter of automotive products ranging from components to sub-assemblies and entire vehicles. This trend is now continuing with the expansion of the market for electric vehicles. An important achievement in this market is the use of in-wheel electric motors (no transmissions, less energy losses). Most research work in this field is done by several small and medium-sized companies (Elaphe, Oprema Ravne, GemMotors, Letrika, Hidria), which are development-oriented but lack the capacity to make larger breakthrough..
Many companies and institutions can be potential users of blast loading analysis results that can covers steel structures (e.g. vehicles) as well as different buildings which can be exposed to blasts. The use of numerical simulations with verified models reduces the costs of development, facilitates product optimization and shortens the time needed to obtain product safety certificates.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UL, runs an interdisciplinary master's course titled Traffic Safety Systems (TSS), which combines elements of biomechanics, forensics, complex numerical simulations, vehicle safety and transportation informatics and is close connected to proposed research program. The TSS course directly contributes to the progress and enhancement of the study and is as such of paramount importance in training experts who will later find work with automotive companies and different institutions (planning, management and safety of infrastructure).
Research of magneto caloric cooling effect and development of different devices for magnetic refrigeration (MR) is another joined research area of program group. We contributed at building up of 1st and 2nd generation laboratory MR devices in Slovenia, 3rd generation prototype is under development. Similarly is true at development of isokinetic test device for biomechanics properties of human tissue (live) where documentation for 2nd generation prototype is under preparation.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
