Since thin-walled composite structures are widely used in structural engineering, damage in such structures is an important issue of research. Matrix cracking is a principal cause of failure in composites. In the present study, a composite matrix cracking model is implemented in a thin-walled hollow circular cantilever beam using an effective stiffness approach. Such structures are used to mode...

In this paper, we address the stiffness synthesis problem of variable geometry double planar parallel robots. For a desired stiffness matrix, the free geometrical variables are calculated as a solution of a corresponding polynomial system. Since in practice the set of free geometrical variables might be deficient, the suggested solution addresses also the case where not all stiffness matrix ele...

This paper presents the stiffness characteristics of a three-prismatic-universal–universal (3-PUU) translational parallel kinematic machine (PKM). The stiffness matrix is derived intuitively based upon an alternative approach considering actuations and constraints, and the compliances subject to both actuators and legs are involved in the stiffness model. The stiffness performance of the manipu...

KEY POINTS This paper describes a novel model that allows exploration of matrix-induced cardiomyocyte adaptations independent of the passive effect of matrix rigidity on cardiomyocyte function. Detachment of adult cardiomyocytes from the matrix enables the study of matrix effects on cell shortening, Ca2+ handling and myofilament function. Cell shortening and Ca2+ handling are altered in cardiom...

Matrix stiffening is a prominent feature of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrate that matrix stiffness regulates the ability of fibrotic lung myofibroblasts to invade the basement membrane (BM). We identify α6-integrin as a mechanosensing integrin subunit that mediates matrix stiffness-regulated myofibroblast invasion. Increasing α6-expression, specifically the B isoform (α6B), cou...

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...