1. Experimental testing and numerical bite simulation of complete acrylic dentures in eugnathic and progenic occlusal relationshipsMartin Pavlin, Robert Ćelić, Nenad Gubeljak, Jožef Predan, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Complete dentures are exposed to complex masticatory forces that may lead to material fatigue and eventual structural failure. Occlusal relationships, such as eugnathic and progenic, influence the distribution of these forces significantly. Understanding their biomechanical impact is essential for improving denture design and longevity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of complete dentures under bite loads in eugnathic and progenic occlusal relationships, using both experimental testing and numerical simulations. The focus was placed on identifying the conditions that lead to initial damage and the patterns of stress distribution. The material properties of the denture base and artificial teeth were determined through experimental tensile and compressive testing on cylindrical PMMA specimens. The denture geometry was acquired via 3D tomography based on impressions of an edentulous patient. Experimental testing of the denture bite was conducted to determine the force thresholds at which the initial cracks occur. Numerical simulations were carried out using finite element analysis at bite loads of 100 N and 200 N in both occlusal types, incorporating the obtained material parameters. The experimental results showed that the first signs of denture damage occurred at 6400 N in eugnathic occlusion and 7010 N in progenic occlusion. The numerical simulations confirmed that, during occlusion, the pressure is redistributed across multiple contact points, with a broader distribution reducing the localised stress. This redistribution was more efficient in eugnathic occlusion, which reduced the risk of longitudinal cracking in acrylic teeth. In contrast, progenic occlusion showed higher susceptibility to fractures within the acrylic denture base, particularly between adjacent teeth. Both the experimental and numerical approaches demonstrated that occlusal relationships affect the mechanical resilience of complete dentures directly. The findings highlight that eugnathic occlusion offers biomechanical advantages in stress distribution, potentially reducing the risk of fracture. Incorporating occlusal analysis into denture design protocols can enhance clinical outcomes and improve prosthetic longevity. Keywords: bite force, finite element method, dental biomechanics, numerical simulations, complete acrylic dentures, occlusal force distribution, occlusal pressure distribution Published in DKUM: 11.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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2. Structural integrity and life assessment of Ti-6Al-4V orthopaedic implantsKatarina Čolić, Svetlana M. Kostić, Simon Sedmak, Nenad Gubeljak, Aleksandar Grbović, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents an experimental and numerical analysis of the mechanical behaviour of orthopaedic implants with crack-type defects, considering the principles and advantages of the modern X-FEM method, which was used due to limitations of traditional FEM in terms of crack growth simulation, especially for complex geometries. In X-FEM, the finite element space is enriched with discontinuity functions and asymptotic functions at the crack tip, which are integrated into the standard finite element approximation using the unity division property. Though rare, femoral component failures are well-documented complications that can occur after hip prosthetic implantation. Most stem fractures happen in the first third of the implant due to the loosening of the proximal stem and fixation of the distal stem, leading to bending and eventual fatigue failure. The main goal of this paper was to obtain accurate and representative models of such failures. Experimental analyses of the mechanical behaviour of implants subjected to physiological loads, according to relevant standards, using a new combined approach, including both experiments and numerical simulations was presented. The goal was to verify the numerical results and obtain a novel, effective methodology for assessing the remaining fatigue life of hip implants. For this purpose, the analysis of the influence of Paris coefficients on the total number of cycles was also considered. Hence, this simulation involved defining loads to closely mimic real-life scenarios, including a combination of activities such as ascending stairs, stumbling, and descending stairs. The tensile properties of the titanium alloy were experimentally determined, along with the Paris law coefficients C and m. The finite element software ANSYS 2022R2 version was used to develop and calculate the three-dimensional model with a crack, and the resulting stresses, stress intensity factors, and the number of cycles presented in the figures, tables, and diagrams. The results for the fatigue life of a partial hip implant subjected to various load cases indicated significant differences in behaviour, and this underscores the importance of analysing each case individually, as these loads are heavily influenced by each patient’s specific activities. It was concluded that the use of numerical methods enabled the preliminary analyses of the mechanical behaviour of implants under fatigue loading for several different load cases, and these findings can be effectively used to predict the possibility of Ti-6Al-4V implant failure under variable cyclic loads. Keywords: structural integrity, fatigue fracture, extended finite element method (XFEM), experimental testing, DIC, numerical simulations, stress intensity factor, orthopaedic implants, crack-type defect Published in DKUM: 21.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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4. Experimental characterization and phase-field damage modeling of ductile fracture in AISI 316lVladimir Dunić, Nenad Gubeljak, Miroslav Živković, Vladimir Milovanović, Darko Jagarinec, Nenad Djordjevic, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: ) Modeling and characterization of ductile fracture in metals is still a challenging task in
the field of computational mechanics. Experimental testing offers specific responses in the form of
crack-mouth (CMOD) and crack-tip (CTOD) opening displacement related to applied force or crack
growth. The main aim of this paper is to develop a phase-field-based Finite Element Method (FEM)
implementation for modeling of ductile fracture in stainless steel. (2) A Phase-Field Damage Model
(PFDM) was coupled with von Mises plasticity and a work-densities-based criterion was employed,
with a threshold to propose a new relationship between critical fracture energy and critical total
strain value. In addition, the threshold value of potential internal energy—which controls damage
evolution—is defined from the critical fracture energy. (3) The material properties of AISI 316L steel
are determined by a uniaxial tensile test and the Compact Tension (CT) specimen crack growth test.
The PFDM model is validated against the experimental results obtained in the fracture toughness
characterization test, with the simulation results being within 8% of the experimental measurements. Keywords: phase-field damage modeling, ductile fracture, crack-tip opening displacement, crack growth, resistance curve, finite element method, simulations Published in DKUM: 19.09.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 12
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5. Introduction to the Computer Simulations : ScriptNejc Novak, Matej Borovinšek, Matej Vesenjak, Zoran Ren, 2024 Abstract: The script entitled „Introduction to the computer simulations“ in the field of Engineering Computer Simulations is intended as a study aid in the lectures of the courses Engineering Computer Simulations for foreign students at the University of Maribor and for students at Kumamoto University, Japan. It explains all the material that students must master in these subjects, and is consistent with the subject curriculum. The basics of computational simulations, based on the Finite Element Method, are given from the theoretical basics to step-by-step preparation of simple computational models and their analysis in PrePoMax software. Keywords: computational simulations, solid mechanics, Finite Element Method, designing, numerical methods Published in DKUM: 12.03.2024; Views: 414; Downloads: 55
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6. Dynamic characterisation of novel three-dimensional axisymmetric chiral auxetic structureAnja Mauko, Yunus Emre Yilmaz, Nejc Novak, Tomáš Doktor, Matej Vesenjak, Zoran Ren, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The study presents an extensive mechanical and computational characterisation of novel cellular metamaterial with axisymmetric chiral structure (ACS) at different strain rates. The Direct Impact Hopkinson Bar (DIHB) testing device was used for impact testing up to 21 m/s striker speed, which was insufficient to reach the shock deformation regime. Thus, using computational simulations to estimate the structure behaviour at high strain rates was necessary. Experimental and computational results showed that all ACS structures exhibit a nominal stress–strain relationship typical for cellular materials. As the loading conditions shifted to a dynamic regime, the micro–inertia effect became increasingly pronounced, leading to a corresponding rise in structure stiffness. The Poisson's ratio in all ACS increases gradually, making them superior to traditional cellular materials, which experience a sudden increase in Poisson's ratio during loading. Additionally, the study found that the structures exhibited a rise in the auxetic effect with an increase in strain rate, highlighting the benefits of axisymmetric structures in high-loading regimes. Overall, the obtained results provide valuable insights into the mechanical properties of ACS under different loading regimes and will contribute to further design improvements and the fabrication of novel ACS metamaterials. Keywords: axisymmetric chiral structure, auxetic, chiral unit cell, impact testing, dynamic characterisation, finite element simulations Published in DKUM: 15.02.2024; Views: 345; Downloads: 49
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