Course detail

Constitutive Equations for BIO

FSI-RKB-A Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester

Students are required to have knowledge of basic terms of theory of elasticity (stress and strain tensors, Hooke's law for multiaxial stress), as well as some basic terms of hydrodynamics (perfect, Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, viscosity) and thermodynamics (state equation of a perfect gas, thermodynamic equilibrium). Fundamentals of FEM and basic skills in ANSYS program system are required as well. 

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

6

Entry knowledge

Students are required to have knowledge of basic terms of theory of elasticity (stress and strain tensors, Hooke's law for multiaxial stress), as well as some basic terms of hydrodynamics (perfect, Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, viscosity) and thermodynamics (entropy, state equation of a perfect gas, thermodynamic equilibrium). Fundamentals of FEM and basic skills in ANSYS program system are necessary. 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course-unit credit is awarded on condition of having actively participated in seminars and submitted an individual semester project. The exam is based on a written test of basic knowledge and defense of the individual semester project.
Attendance at practical training is obligatory. An apologized absence can be compensed by individual works controlled by the tutor.

Aims

The objective of the course is to provide students a comprehensive and systematic overview of constitutive dependencies of various types of matters, to interconnect their knowledge acquainted in various courses and fields (solid mechanics, hydromechanics, thermomechanics) and, at the same time, to make students familiar with practical applications of some of the constitutive models (in FE program system ANSYS) useful in modelling of soft tissues.
Students get an overview of mechanical properties and behaviour of matters and of possibilities of their modelling, especially under large strains. They will have a clear idea of sophisticated application of computational modelling in biomechanical problems with soft tissues. Within the framework of capabilities of the used FE programme systems, they will be made familiar with the practical use of some of the more complex constitutive models (hyperelastic and non-elastic, isotropic and anisotropic) in stress-strain analyses.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme N-IMB-P: Engineering Mechanics and Biomechanics, Master's
specialization BIO: Biomechanics, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Syllabus


  1. Definition and overview of constitutive models in mechanics, constitutive models for individual states of matter, definition of deformation tensors.

  2. Stress and strain tensors under large strains, hyperelasticity model neo-Hooke.

  3. Mechanical tests of elastomers, polynomial hyperelastic models, predictive capability.

  4. Models Ogden, Arruda Boyce – entropic elasticity.

  5. Incremental modulus. Models of foams. Anisotropic hyperelasticity, pseudoinvariants.

  6. Non-elastic effects (Mullins). Plasticity criteria.

  7. Models of arterial wall and blood.

  8. Models considering fibre arrangement, muscle contraction, poroelasticity.

  9. Shape memory alloys

  10. Linear viscoelasticity – introduction

  11. Linear viscoelasticity – behaviour of models under static loading

  12. Linear viscoelasticity – dynamic behaviour, complex modulus

  13. Visco-hyperelasticity – model Bergstrom-Boyce, polar decomposition




Computer-assisted exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  1. Experiment – elastomer testing


2.-3. FEM simulations of tests of elstomers


4.-5. Identification of constitutive models of elastomers


6.-7. Models of arterial wall


8.-9. Models of anisotropic behaviour of elastomers and Mullins efekt


10. Assessment of model parameters from experimental data 


11.-12. Simulation of viscoelastic behaviour


13. Project formulation, course-unit credit.