A formulation for finite element analysis of tapered and  monosymmetric I shaped beam-columns is presented. This is a general way to analyze these types of complex elements. Based upon the formulation, member stiffness matrix is obtained explicitly. The element considered has seven nodal degrees of freedom. In addition, the related stability matrix is found. Numerical studies of the aforementio...

In the present paper, applicability of the modified fixed grid finite element method in solution of three dimensional elasticity problems of functionally graded materials is investigated. In the non-boundary-fitted meshes, the elements are not conforming to the domain boundaries and the boundary nodes which are used in the traditional finite element method for the application of boundary condit...

One of the important issues in the study of steel frames is to find a suitable formulation for semi-rigid connections. In this paper, the explicit stiffness matrix for a two-dimensional beam-column element having end-flexibilities is derived. The effects of the lateral uniformly distributed load on the deflection are considered. Both tensile and compressive axial loads are also taken into accou...

BACKGROUND A number of adhesion-mediated signaling pathways and cell-cycle events have been identified that regulate cell proliferation, yet studies to date have been unable to determine which of these pathways control mitogenesis in response to physiologically relevant changes in tissue elasticity. In this report, we use hydrogel-based substrata matched to biological tissue stiffness to invest...

In this study, a method is proposed to determine the fundamental period of layered soil profiles. A model considering the layered soil as shear type structure is used. At first, the soil profile is divided into substructures. Then, the stiffness matrices of the substructures considered as the equivalent shear structures are assembled according to the Finite Element Method. Thereinafter, the sti...

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are attractive autologous cell sources for cartilage repair given their relative abundance and ease of isolation. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for promoting chondrogenesis. However, few studies have compared the effects of varying types or doses of ECM molecules ...

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix can profoundly influence cell and tissue behaviors. Thus there is an emerging emphasis on understanding how matrix mechanical environments are established, regulated, and modified. Here we develop a microrheometric assay to measure the mechanical properties of a model extracellular matrix (type I collagen gel) and use it to explore cytokine-induced, cel...

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix can profoundly influence cell and tissue behaviors. Thus there is an emerging emphasis on understanding how matrix mechanical environments are established, regulated, and modified. Here we develop a microrheometric assay to measure the mechanical properties of a model extracellular matrix (type I collagen gel) and use it to explore cytokine-induced, cel...

Abstract In this paper the novel hybrid manipulator, named as CaHyMan (Cassino Hybrid Manipulator), is analyzed in term of stiffness characteristics. A formulation is presented to deduce the stiffness matrix as a function of the most important stiffness parameters of the mechanical design. The specific design of CaHyMan, which has been designed and built at the Laboratory of Robotics in Cassino...

BACKGROUND In ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy, an elevated end-diastolic pressure is often assumed to be secondary to increased myocardial stiffness, but stiffness is rarely measured in vivo because of difficulty. We measured in vitro passive stiffness of volume- or pressure-overloaded myocardium mainly from congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Endocardial ventricular biopsies ...