The paper presents a method of analysis of bone remodelling in the vicinity of implants. The authors aimed at building a model and numerical procedures which may be used as a tool in the prosthesis design process. The model proposed by the authors is based on the theory of adaptive elasticity and the lazy zone concept. It takes into consideration not only changes of the internal structure of the tissue (described by apparent density) but also surface remodelling and changes caused by the effects revealing some features of “creep”. Finite element analysis of a lumbar spinal segment with an artificial intervertebral disc was performed by means of the Ansys system with custom APDL code. The algorithms were in two variants: the so-called site-independent and site-specific. Resultant density distribution and modified shape of the vertebra are compared for both of them. It is shown that this two approaches predict the bone remodelling in different ways. A comparison with available clinical outcomes is also presented and similarities to the numerical results are pointed out.
Recently, new materials have been developed in the field of bridge design, one of which is FRP composite. To investigate this topic, the Polish National Centre for Research and Development has founded a research project, whose objectives are to develop, manufacture and test a typical FRP bridge superstructures. Two innovative ideas of FRP composite girder-deck structural systems for small and medium span bridges have been proposed. This paper describes the demonstrative bridges and presents the research results on their development and deployment. The finite element analysis and design procedure, structural evaluation in the laboratory and some results of the proof tests carried out on both bridge systems have been briefly presented.
The paper presents the special software for transient FE analysis of coupled electromagnetic-thermal problems in a squirrel cage submerged motor working at cryogenic temperature. A time-stepping finite element method and transients analysis of an induction motor has been applied. The non-linearity of the magnetic circuit, the movement of the rotor, skewed slots, and the influence of temperature on electric and thermal properties of the materials has been taken into account. Developed on the basis of presented algorithm a computer program used to analyze the phenomenon of current displacement in the rotor bars of high-voltage cage induction motor working in cryogenic conditions. The results of the simulations are presented.