New Modeling Techniques of Material Properties and Geometrical Variations of Humans in Biomechanics

Call for Papers

The versatility of numerical simulation permits medical specialists and engineers to systematically analyze the complex array of factors experienced by a biomechanical system under various loading scenarios that are too complex and expensive to be undertaken with conventional experimental approaches. However, the predictions of the computational models depend significantly on the accuracy of the geometry and material properties of the biomechanical system analyzed. Recent advances in medical imaging make it possible to accurately reconstruct and then define the complex geometries inherent in biomechanics studies (e.g., long bones, cartilages, ligaments, tendons). The determination of mechanical properties and material assignment for finite element models of biomechanical systems through appropriate constitutive models has started recently to improve thanks to advanced research techniques.

The purpose of this special issue is to present new results associated with computer models in biomechanics (e.g., human finite element models), with special considerations for their material properties and geometries. A major focus of the issue will be on the mechanical properties of biological materials, parameter identification of material models, issues related to material properties in subject-specific modeling and model validation. Papers related to new imaging analysis techniques in the development of biomechanical model geometry will also be considered. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Constitutive and damage modeling of hard and soft tissues
• Viscoelastic properties of biological tissues
• Parameter identification of material models through inverse finite element modeling
• Stochastic material modeling
• Assignment of material properties based on CT data
• Analysis of model geometry and morphology as a function of age, posture, body habitus, and so forth
• Parametric human finite element modeling

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cmmm/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/cmmm/gvh/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Costin D. Untaroiu, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Guest Editors

• Andrew C. Merkle, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
• F. Scott Gayzik, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA
• Jingwen Hu, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA