Biomechanics - Fundamentals and Modeling
Module MW1817
This Module is offered by Chair of Computational Mechanics (Prof. Wall).
This module handbook serves to describe contents, learning outcome, methods and examination type as well as linking to current dates for courses and module examination in the respective
sections.
Module version of SS 2013
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
MW1817 is a semester module
in German language
at Bachelor’s level and Master’s level
which is offered in summer semester.
This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.
- Catalogue of non-physics elective courses
Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
150 h |
45 h |
5 CP |
Content
Biomechanics is defined as the study of biological systems by means of mechanical principles. It is aimed at providing insights into the system's structure and function, predicting pathological changes, and proposing therapeutic approaches. Hence, biomechanics is the basis of modern (bio-)medical engineering. In this course, the individual steps of modeling are demonstrated based on several examples. Starting from a brief overview of the anatomy and physiology of the system under consideration (including lung, bone, cardiovascular system), the aspects which are essential for a mechanical model are defined and suitable modeling approaches are formulated. The focus of this course is on the mechanics of biological tissues (including passive and active behavior, growth, remodeling) as well as on the modeling of flow and transport phenomena in blood vessels and airways (including the comparison of 3D, 1D, and 0D models).
Learning Outcome
Upon successful completion of the course Biomechanics Fundamentals and Modeling , students are capable of independently identifying which basic mechanical principles have to be considered to describe the behaviour of an existing biological system. Thus they can identify the significant effects and deduce a less complex mathematical model of the underlying biology. In particular, they know how to homogenise tissue properties as well as the basic steps towards reducing the flow patterns in blood circulation and in the lung in their dimension. Furthermore, the students have a broad overview of the current models used to describe the most important processes in the human body.
Preconditions
Knowledge of nonlinear continuum mechanics and physiology is helpful but not mandatory. Important basics are covered at the beginning of the lecture.
Courses and Schedule
Learning and Teaching Methods
The lecture will be conducted as a presentation. Main contents of the lecture will be noted on a tabloid PC. The printed lecture notes of the students contain gaps which have to be filled with these contents. In the exercise course, examples are solved jointly.
Media
Lecture, presentation with tabloid PC, additional materials on learning platform
Literature
Student's notes taken during lecture, handout of slides filled in during lecture, list of further literature
Description of exams and course work
At the end of the semester, the examination is taken in written form (90 min).
It consists of a mixture of short questions and arithmetic problems, which test the understanding of particular phenomena in biomechanics and the ability to formulate suitable biomechanical models. All topics of the lecture are subject of the exam.
Allowed aids will be announced during the lecture period.
Exam Repetition
There is a possibility to take the exam in the following semester.