@inproceedings{Dachwald2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Global optimization of low-thrust space missions using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {Proceedings of the international workshop on global optimization}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the international workshop on global optimization}, pages = {85 -- 90}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Low-thrust space propulsion systems enable flexible high-energy deep space missions, but the design and optimization of the interplanetary transfer trajectory is usually difficult. It involves much experience and expert knowledge because the convergence behavior of traditional local trajectory optimization methods depends strongly on an adequate initial guess. Within this extended abstract, evolutionary neurocontrol, a method that fuses artificial neural networks and evolutionary algorithms, is proposed as a smart global method for low-thrust trajectory optimization. It does not require an initial guess. The implementation of evolutionary neurocontrol is detailed and its performance is shown for an exemplary mission.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldBaturkinCoverstoneetal.2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Baturkin, Volodymyr and Coverstone, Victoria and Diedrich, Ben and Garbe, Gregory and G{\"o}rlich, Marianne and Leipold, Manfred and Lura, Franz and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandro and Rios-Reyes, Leonel and Scheeres, Daniel J. and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Wie, Bong}, title = {Potential effects of optical solar sail degredation on trajectory design}, series = {AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist}, booktitle = {AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist}, pages = {1 -- 23}, year = {2005}, abstract = {The optical properties of the thin metalized polymer films that are projected for solar sails are assumed to be affected by the erosive effects of the space environment. Their degradation behavior in the real space environment, however, is to a considerable degree indefinite, because initial ground test results are controversial and relevant inspace tests have not been made so far. The standard optical solar sail models that are currently used for trajectory design do not take optical degradation into account, hence its potential effects on trajectory design have not been investigated so far. Nevertheless, optical degradation is important for high-fidelity solar sail mission design, because it decreases both the magnitude of the solar radiation pressure force acting on the sail and also the sail control authority. Therefore, we propose a simple parametric optical solar sail degradation model that describes the variation of the sail film's optical coefficients with time, depending on the sail film's environmental history, i.e., the radiation dose. The primary intention of our model is not to describe the exact behavior of specific film-coating combinations in the real space environment, but to provide a more general parametric framework for describing the general optical degradation behavior of solar sails. Using our model, the effects of different optical degradation behaviors on trajectory design are investigated for various exemplary missions.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GehlerOberBloebaumDachwald2009, author = {Gehler, M. and Ober-Bl{\"o}baum, S. and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Application of discrete mechanics and optimal control to spacecraft in non-keplerian motion around small solar system bodies}, series = {Procceedings of the 60th International Astronautical Congress}, booktitle = {Procceedings of the 60th International Astronautical Congress}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-161567908-9}, pages = {1360 -- 1371}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Prolonged operations close to small solar system bodies require a sophisticated control logic to minimize propellant mass and maximize operational efficiency. A control logic based on Discrete Mechanics and Optimal Control (DMOC) is proposed and applied to both conventionally propelled and solar sail spacecraft operating at an arbitrarily shaped asteroid in the class of Itokawa. As an example, stand-off inertial hovering is considered, recently identified as a challenging part of the Marco Polo mission. The approach is easily extended to stand-off orbits. We show that DMOC is applicable to spacecraft control at small objects, in particular with regard to the fact that the changes in gravity are exploited by the algorithm to optimally control the spacecraft position. Furthermore, we provide some remarks on promising developments.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldWurm2009, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Wurm, P.}, title = {Design concept and modeling of an advanced solar photon thruster}, series = {Advances in the Astronautical Sciences}, booktitle = {Advances in the Astronautical Sciences}, publisher = {American Astronautical Society}, address = {San Diego, Calif.}, isbn = {978-087703554-1}, issn = {00653438}, pages = {723 -- 740}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The so-called "compound solar sail", also known as "Solar Photon Thruster" (SPT), holds the potential of providing significant performance advantages over the flat solar sail. Previous SPT design concepts, however, do not consider shadowing effects and multiple reflections of highly concentrated solar radiation that would inevitably destroy the gossamer sail film. In this paper, we propose a novel advanced SPT (ASPT) design concept that does not suffer from these oversimplifications. We present the equations that describe the thrust force acting on such a sail system and compare its performance with respect to the conventional flat solar sail.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldWurm2009, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Wurm, P.}, title = {Mission analysis for an advanced solar photon thruster}, series = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009, IAC 2009}, volume = {Vol. 8}, booktitle = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009, IAC 2009}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-161567908-9}, pages = {6838 -- 6851}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The so-called "compound solar sail", also known as "Solar Photon Thruster" (SPT), is a solar sail design concept, for which the two basic functions of the solar sail, namely light collection and thrust direction, are uncoupled. In this paper, we introduce a novel SPT concept, termed the Advanced Solar Photon Thruster (ASPT). This model does not suffer from the simplified assumptions that have been made for the analysis of compound solar sails in previous studies. We present the equations that describe the force, which acts on the ASPT. After a detailed design analysis, the performance of the ASPT with respect to the conventional flat solar sail (FSS) is investigated for three interplanetary mission scenarios: An Earth-Venus rendezvous, where the solar sail has to spiral towards the Sun, an Earth-Mars rendezvous, where the solar sail has to spiral away from the Sun, and an Earth-NEA rendezvous (to near-Earth asteroid 1996FG3), where a large orbital eccentricity change is required. The investigated solar sails have realistic near-term characteristic accelerations between 0.1 and 0.2mm/s2. Our results show that a SPT is not superior to the flat solar sail unless very idealistic assumptions are made.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrundmannBauerBorchersetal.2019, author = {Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Bauer, Wlademar and Borchers, Kai and Dumont, Etienne and Grimm, Christian D. and Ho, Tra-Mi and Jahnke, Rico and Koch, Aaron D. and Lange, Caroline and Maiwald, Volker and Meß, Jan-Gerd and Mikulz, Eugen and Quantius, Dominik and Reershemius, Siebo and Renger, Thomas and Sasaki, Kaname and Seefeldt, Patric and Spietz, Peter and Spr{\"o}witz, Tom and Sznajder, Maciej and Toth, Norbert and Ceriotti, Matteo and McInnes, Colin and Peloni, Alessandro and Biele, Jens and Krause, Christian and Dachwald, Bernd and Hercik, David and Lichtenheldt, Roy and Wolff, Friederike and Koncz, Alexander and Pelivan, Ivanka and Schmitz, Nicole and Boden, Ralf and Riemann, Johannes and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Wejmo, Elisabet and Ziach, Christian and Mikschl, Tobias and Montenegro, Sergio and Ruffer, Michael and Cordero, Federico and Tardivel, Simon}, title = {Solar sails for planetary defense \& high-energy missions}, series = {IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings}, booktitle = {IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings}, doi = {10.1109/AERO.2019.8741900}, pages = {1 -- 21}, year = {2019}, abstract = {20 years after the successful ground deployment test of a (20 m) 2 solar sail at DLR Cologne, and in the light of the upcoming U.S. NEAscout mission, we provide an overview of the progress made since in our mission and hardware design studies as well as the hardware built in the course of our solar sail technology development. We outline the most likely and most efficient routes to develop solar sails for useful missions in science and applications, based on our developed `now-term' and near-term hardware as well as the many practical and managerial lessons learned from the DLR-ESTEC Gossamer Roadmap. Mission types directly applicable to planetary defense include single and Multiple NEA Rendezvous ((M)NR) for precursor, monitoring and follow-up scenarios as well as sail-propelled head-on retrograde kinetic impactors (RKI) for mitigation. Other mission types such as the Displaced L1 (DL1) space weather advance warning and monitoring or Solar Polar Orbiter (SPO) types demonstrate the capability of near-term solar sails to achieve asteroid rendezvous in any kind of orbit, from Earth-coorbital to extremely inclined and even retrograde orbits. Some of these mission types such as SPO, (M)NR and RKI include separable payloads. For one-way access to the asteroid surface, nanolanders like MASCOT are an ideal match for solar sails in micro-spacecraft format, i.e. in launch configurations compatible with ESPA and ASAP secondary payload platforms. Larger landers similar to the JAXA-DLR study of a Jupiter Trojan asteroid lander for the OKEANOS mission can shuttle from the sail to the asteroids visited and enable multiple NEA sample-return missions. The high impact velocities and re-try capability achieved by the RKI mission type on a final orbit identical to the target asteroid's but retrograde to its motion enables small spacecraft size impactors to carry sufficient kinetic energy for deflection.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{OhndorfDachwaldSeboldtetal.2011, author = {Ohndorf, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Schartner, Karl-Heinz}, title = {Flight times to the heliopause using a combination of solar and radioisotope electric propulsion}, series = {32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, booktitle = {32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We investigate the interplanetary flight of a low-thrust space probe to the heliopause,located at a distance of about 200 AU from the Sun. Our goal was to reach this distance within the 25 years postulated by ESA for such a mission (which is less ambitious than the 15-year goal set by NASA). Contrary to solar sail concepts and combinations of allistic and electrically propelled flight legs, we have investigated whether the set flight time limit could also be kept with a combination of solar-electric propulsion and a second, RTG-powered upper stage. The used ion engine type was the RIT-22 for the first stage and the RIT-10 for the second stage. Trajectory optimization was carried out with the low-thrust optimization program InTrance, which implements the method of Evolutionary Neurocontrol,using Artificial Neural Networks for spacecraft steering and Evolutionary Algorithms to optimize the Neural Networks' parameter set. Based on a parameter space study, in which the number of thrust units, the unit's specific impulse, and the relative size of the solar power generator were varied, we have chosen one configuration as reference. The transfer time of this reference configuration was 29.6 years and the fastest one, which is technically more challenging, still required 28.3 years. As all flight times of this parameter study were longer than 25 years, we further shortened the transfer time by applying a launcher-provided hyperbolic excess energy up to 49 km2/s2. The resulting minimal flight time for the reference configuration was then 27.8 years. The following, more precise optimization to a launch with the European Ariane 5 ECA rocket reduced the transfer time to 27.5 years. This is the fastest mission design of our study that is flexible enough to allow a launch every year. The inclusion of a fly-by at Jupiter finally resulted in a flight time of 23.8 years,which is below the set transfer-time limit. However, compared to the 27.5-year transfer,this mission design has a significantly reduced launch window and mission flexibility if the escape direction is restricted to the heliosphere's "nose".}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BorggraefeDachwald2010, author = {Borggr{\"a}fe, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Mission performance evaluation for solar sails using a refined SRP force model with variable optical coefficients}, series = {2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 6}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Solar sails provide ignificant advantages over other low-thrust propulsion systems because they produce thrust by the momentum exchange from solar radiation pressure (SRP) and thus do not consume any propellant.The force exerted on a very thin sail foil basically depends on the light incidence angle. Several analytical SRP force models that describe the SRP force acting on the sail have been established since the 1970s. All the widely used models use constant optical force coefficients of the reflecting sail material. In 2006,MENGALI et al. proposed a refined SRP force model that takes into account the dependancy of the force coefficients on the light incident angle,the sail's distance from the sun (and thus the sail emperature) and the surface roughness of the sail material [1]. In this paper, the refined SRP force model is compared to the previous ones in order to identify the potential impact of the new model on the predicted capabilities of solar sails in performing low-cost interplanetary space missions. All force models have been implemented within InTrance, a global low-thrust trajectory optimization software utilizing evolutionary neurocontrol [2]. Two interplanetary rendezvous missions, to Mercury and the near-Earth asteroid 1996FG3, are investigated. Two solar sail performances in terms of characteristic acceleration are examined for both scenarios, 0.2 mm/s2 and 0.5 mm/s2, termed "low" and "medium" sail performance. In case of the refined SRP model, three different values of surface roughness are chosen, h = 0 nm, 10 nm and 25 nm. The results show that the refined SRP force model yields shorter transfer times than the standard model.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldKahleWie2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Kahle, Ralph and Wie, Bong}, title = {Head-on impact deflection of NEAs: a case study for 99942 Apophis}, series = {Planetary Defense Conference 2007}, booktitle = {Planetary Defense Conference 2007}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Near-Earth asteroid (NEA) 99942 Apophis provides a typical example for the evolution of asteroid orbits that lead to Earth-impacts after a close Earth-encounter that results in a resonant return. Apophis will have a close Earth-encounter in 2029 with potential very close subsequent Earth-encounters (or even an impact) in 2036 or later, depending on whether it passes through one of several less than 1 km-sized gravitational keyholes during its 2029-encounter. A pre-2029 kinetic impact is a very favorable option to nudge the asteroid out of a keyhole. The highest impact velocity and thus deflection can be achieved from a trajectory that is retrograde to Apophis orbit. With a chemical or electric propulsion system, however, many gravity assists and thus a long time is required to achieve this. We show in this paper that the solar sail might be the better propulsion system for such a mission: a solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) spacecraft could impact Apophis from a retrograde trajectory with a very high relative velocity (75-80 km/s) during one of its perihelion passages. The spacecraft consists of a 160 m × 160 m, 168 kg solar sail assembly and a 150 kg impactor. Although conventional spacecraft can also achieve the required minimum deflection of 1 km for this approx. 320 m-sized object from a prograde trajectory, our solar sail KEI concept also allows the deflection of larger objects. For a launch in 2020, we also show that, even after Apophis has flown through one of the gravitational keyholes in 2029, the solar sail KEI concept is still feasible to prevent Apophis from impacting the Earth, but many KEIs would be required for consecutive impacts to increase the total Earth-miss distance to a safe value}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrundmannBodenCeriottietal.2017, author = {Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Boden, Ralf and Ceriotti, Matteo and Dachwald, Bernd and Dumont, Etienne and Grimm, Christian D. and Lange, Caroline and Lichtenheldt, Roy and Pelivan, Ivanka and Peloni, Alessandro and Riemann, Johannes and Spr{\"o}witz, Tom and Tardivel, Simon}, title = {Soil to sail-asteroid landers on near-term sailcraft as an evolution of the GOSSAMER small spacecraft solar sail concept for in-situ characterization}, series = {5th IAA Planetary Defense Conference}, booktitle = {5th IAA Planetary Defense Conference}, pages = {30 Seiten}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SeboldtDachwald2003, author = {Seboldt, Wolfgang and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Solar sails for near-term advanced scientific deep space missions}, series = {Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion}, pages = {14 Seiten}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Solar sails are propelled in space by reflecting solar photons off large mirroring surfaces, thereby transforming the momentum of the photons into a propulsive force. This innovative concept for low-thrust space propulsion works without any propellant and thus provides a wide range of opportunities for highenergy low-cost missions. Offering an efficient way of propulsion, solar sailcraft could close a gap in transportation options for highly demanding exploration missions within our solar system and even beyond. On December 17th, 1999, a significant step was made towards the realization of this technology: a lightweight solar sail structure with an area of 20 m × 20 m was successfully deployed on ground in a large facility at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) at Cologne. The deployment from a package of 60 cm × 60 cm × 65 cm with a total mass of less than 35 kg was achieved using four extremely light-weight carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) booms with a specific mass of 100 g/m. The paper briefly reviews the basic principles of solar sails as well as the technical concept and its realization in the ground demonstration experiment, performed in close cooperation between DLR and ESA. Next possible steps are outlined. They could comprise the in-orbit demonstration of the sail deployment on the upper stage of a low-cost rocket and the verification of the propulsion concept by an autonomous and free flying solar sail in the frame of a scientific mission. It is expected that the present design could be extended to sail sizes of about (40 m)2 up to even (70 m)2 without significant mass penalty. With these areas, the maximum achievable thrust at 1 AU would range between 10 and 40 mN - comparable to some electric thrusters. Such prototype sails with a mass between 50 and 150 kg plus a micro-spacecraft of 50 to 250 kg would have a maximum acceleration in the order of 0.1 mm/s2 at 1 AU, corresponding to a maximum ∆V-capability of about 3 km/s per year. Two near/medium-term mission examples to a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) will be discussed: a rendezvous mission and a sample return mission.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldSeboldtHaeusler2002, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and H{\"a}usler, Bernd}, title = {Performance requirements for near-term interplanetary solar sailcraft missions}, series = {6th International AAAF Symposium on Space Propulsion: Propulsion for Space Transportation of the XXIst Century}, booktitle = {6th International AAAF Symposium on Space Propulsion: Propulsion for Space Transportation of the XXIst Century}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2002}, abstract = {Solar sailcraft provide a wide range of opportunities for high-energy low-cost missions. To date, most mission studies require a rather demanding performance that will not be realized by solar sailcraft of the first generation. However, even with solar sailcraft of moderate performance, scientifically relevant missions are feasible. This is demonstrated with a Near Earth Asteroid sample return mission and various planetary rendezvous missions.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchartnerLoebDachwaldetal.2009, author = {Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Loeb, H. W. and Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, Andreas}, title = {Perspectives of electric propulsion for outer planetary and deep space missions}, series = {European Planetary Science Congress 2009}, booktitle = {European Planetary Science Congress 2009}, pages = {416 -- 416}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Solar-electric propulsion (SEP) is superior with respect to payload capacity, flight time and flexible launch window to the conventional interplanetary transfer method using chemical propulsion combined with gravity assists. This fact results from the large exhaust velocities of electric low-thrust propulsion and is favourable also for missions to the giant planets, Kuiper-belt objects and even for a heliopause probe (IHP) as shown in three studies by the authors funded by DLR. They dealt with a lander for Europa and a sample return mission from a mainbelt asteroid [1], with the TANDEM mission [2]; the third recent one investigates electric propulsion for the transfer to the edge of the solar system. All studies are based on triple-junction solar arrays, on rf-ion thrusters of the qualified RIT-22 type and they use the intelligent trajectory optimization program InTrance [3].}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SpurmannOhndorfDachwaldetal.2009, author = {Spurmann, J{\"o}rn and Ohndorf, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and L{\"o}b, Horst and Schartner, Karl-Heinz}, title = {Interplanetary trajectory optimization for a sep mission to Saturn}, series = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009}, booktitle = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009}, isbn = {9781615679089}, pages = {5234 -- 5248}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The recently proposed NASA and ESA missions to Saturn and Jupiter pose difficult tasks to mission designers because chemical propulsion scenarios are not capable of transferring heavy spacecraft into the outer solar system without the use of gravity assists. Thus our developed mission scenario based on the joint NASA/ESA Titan Saturn System Mission baselines solar electric propulsion to improve mission flexibility and transfer time. For the calculation of near-globally optimal low-thrust trajectories, we have used a method called Evolutionary Neurocontrol, which is implemented in the low-thrust trajectory optimization software InTrance. The studied solar electric propulsion scenario covers trajectory optimization of the interplanetary transfer including variations of the spacecraft's thrust level, the thrust unit's specific impulse and the solar power generator power level. Additionally developed software extensions enabled trajectory optimization with launcher-provided hyperbolic excess energy, a complex solar power generator model and a variable specific impulse ion engine model. For the investigated mission scenario, Evolutionary Neurocontrol yields good optimization results, which also hold valid for the more elaborate spacecraft models. Compared to Cassini/Huygens, the best found solutions have faster transfer times and a higher mission flexibility in general.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LoebSchartnerDachwaldetal.2007, author = {Loeb, Horst Wolfgang and Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {SEP-Sample return from a main belt asteroid}, series = {30th International Electric Propulsion Conference}, booktitle = {30th International Electric Propulsion Conference}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2007}, abstract = {By DLR-contact, sample return missions to the large main-belt asteroid "19, Fortuna" have been studied. The mission scenario has been based on three ion thrusters of the RIT-22 model, which is presently under space qualification, and on solar arrays equipped with triple-junction GaAs solar cells. After having designed the spacecraft, the orbit-to-orbit trajectories for both, a one-way SEP mission with a chemical sample return and an all-SEP return mission, have been optimized using a combination of artificial neural networks with evolutionary algorithms. Additionally, body-to-body trajectories have been investigated within a launch period between 2012 and 2015. For orbit-to-orbit calculation, the launch masses of the hybrid mission and of the all-SEP mission resulted in 2.05 tons and 1.56 tons, respectively, including a scientific payload of 246 kg. For the related transfer durations 4.14 yrs and 4.62 yrs were obtained. Finally, a comparison between the mission scenarios based on SEP and on NEP have been carried out favouring clearly SEP.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldMengaliQuartaetal.2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandro A and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R}, title = {Optical solar sail degradation modelling}, series = {1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 27}, year = {2007}, abstract = {We propose a simple parametric OSSD model that describes the variation of the sail film's optical coefficients with time, depending on the sail film's environmental history, i.e., the radiation dose. The primary intention of our model is not to describe the exact behavior of specific film-coating combinations in the real space environment, but to provide a more general parametric framework for describing the general optical degradation behavior of solar sails.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchoutetensDachwaldHeiligers2021, author = {Schoutetens, Frederic and Dachwald, Bernd and Heiligers, Jeannette}, title = {Optimisation of photon-sail trajectories in the alpha-centauri system using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {8th ICATT (International Conference on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques) 23 - 25 June 2021, Virtual}, booktitle = {8th ICATT (International Conference on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques) 23 - 25 June 2021, Virtual}, pages = {1 -- 15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {With the increased interest for interstellar exploration after the discovery of exoplanets and the proposal by Breakthrough Starshot, this paper investigates the optimisation of photon-sail trajectories in Alpha Centauri. The prime objective is to find the optimal steering strategy for a photonic sail to get captured around one of the stars after a minimum-time transfer from Earth. By extending the idea of the Breakthrough Starshot project with a deceleration phase upon arrival, the mission's scientific yield will be increased. As a secondary objective, transfer trajectories between the stars and orbit-raising manoeuvres to explore the habitable zones of the stars are investigated. All trajectories are optimised for minimum time of flight using the trajectory optimisation software InTrance. Depending on the sail technology, interstellar travel times of 77.6-18,790 years can be achieved, which presents an average improvement of 30\% with respect to previous work. Still, significant technological development is required to reach and be captured in the Alpha-Centauri system in less than a century. Therefore, a fly-through mission arguably remains the only option for a first exploratory mission to Alpha Centauri, but the enticing results obtained in this work provide perspective for future long-residence missions to our closest neighbouring star system.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SeefeldtBauerDachwaldetal.2015, author = {Seefeldt, Patric and Bauer, Waldemar and Dachwald, Bernd and Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Straubel, Marco and Sznajder, Maciej and T{\´o}th, Norbert and Zander, Martin E.}, title = {Large lightweight deployable structures for planetary defence: solar sail propulsion, solar concentrator payloads, large-scale photovoltaic power}, series = {4th IAA Planetary Defense Conference - PDC 2015, 13-17 April 2015, Frascati, Roma, Italy}, booktitle = {4th IAA Planetary Defense Conference - PDC 2015, 13-17 April 2015, Frascati, Roma, Italy}, pages = {24}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Dachwald2017, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Radiation pressure force model for an ideal laser-enhanced solar sail}, series = {4th International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {4th International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 5}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The concept of a laser-enhanced solar sail is introduced and the radiation pressure force model for an ideal laser-enhanced solar sail is derived. A laser-enhanced solar sail is a "traditional" solar sail that is, however, not solely propelled by solar radiation, but additionally by a laser beam that illuminates the sail. The additional laser radiation pressure increases the sail's propulsive force and can give, depending on the location of the laser source, more control authority over the direction of the solar sail's propulsive force vector. This way, laser-enhanced solar sails may augment already existing solar sail mission concepts and make novel mission concepts feasible.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Solar sail performance requirements for missions to the outer solar system and beyond}, series = {55th International Astronautical Congress 2004}, booktitle = {55th International Astronautical Congress 2004}, doi = {10.2514/6.IAC-04-S.P.11}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Solar sails enable missions to the outer solar system and beyond, although the solar radiation pressure decreases with the square of solar distance. For such missions, the solar sail may gain a large amount of energy by first making one or more close approaches to the sun. Within this paper, optimal trajectories for solar sail missions to the outer planets and into near interstellar space (200 AU) are presented. Thereby, it is shown that even near/medium-term solar sails with relatively moderate performance allow reasonable transfer times to the boundaries of the solar system.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StaatTranPham2008, author = {Staat, Manfred and Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Pham, Phu Tinh}, title = {Limit and shakedown reliability analysis by nonlinear programming}, year = {2008}, abstract = {7th International Conference on Reliability of Materials and Structures (RELMAS 2008). June 17 - 20, 2008 ; Saint Petersburg, Russia. pp 354-358. Reprint with corrections in red Introduction Analysis of advanced structures working under extreme heavy loading such as nuclear power plants and piping system should take into account the randomness of loading, geometrical and material parameters. The existing reliability are restricted mostly to the elastic working regime, e.g. allowable local stresses. Development of the limit and shakedown reliability-based analysis and design methods, exploiting potential of the shakedown working regime, is highly needed. In this paper the application of a new algorithm of probabilistic limit and shakedown analysis for shell structures is presented, in which the loading and strength of the material as well as the thickness of the shell are considered as random variables. The reliability analysis problems may be efficiently solved by using a system combining the available FE codes, a deterministic limit and shakedown analysis, and the First and Second Order Reliability Methods (FORM/SORM). Non-linear sensitivity analyses are obtained directly from the solution of the deterministic problem without extra computational costs.}, subject = {Finite-Elemente-Methode}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranPhamStaat2008, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Pham, Phu Tinh and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Reliability analysis of shells based on direct plasticity methods}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Abstracts der CD-Rom Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM8) and 5th Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2008) 30.06. - 04.07.2008 Venedig, Italien. 2 Seiten Zusammenfassung der Autoren mit graph. Darst. und Literaturverzeichnis}, subject = {Finite-Elemente-Methode}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranNovacekTolbaetal.2011, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Novacek, V. and Tolba, R. and Klinge, U. and Turquier, F. and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Experimental and Computational approach to study colorectal anastomosis. ISB2011, Proceedings of the XXIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Brussels, Belgium, July 3-7, 2011}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Summary: This paper presents a methodology to study and understand the mechanics of stapled anastomotic behaviors by combining empirical experimentation and finite element analysis. Performance of stapled anastomosis is studied in terms of leakage and numerical results which are compared to in vitro experiments performed on fresh porcine tissue. Results suggest that leaks occur between the tissue and staple legs penetrating through the tissue.}, subject = {Anastomose}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NixFrotscherStaat2012, author = {Nix, Yvonne and Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Implementation of the edge-based smoothed extended finite element method}, series = {Proceedings 6th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012) Vienna, Austria, September 10-14, 2012}, booktitle = {Proceedings 6th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012) Vienna, Austria, September 10-14, 2012}, editor = {Eberhardsteiner, J.}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrotscherRaatschenStaat2012, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Raatschen, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Application of an edge-based smoothed finite element method on geometrically non-linear plates of non-linear material}, series = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, booktitle = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, editor = {Eberhardsteiner, J.}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DuongNguyenStaat2012, author = {Duong, Minh Tuan and Nguyen, Nhu Huynh and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Numerical stability enhancement of modeling hyperelastic materials}, series = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, booktitle = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, editor = {Eberhardsteiner, J.}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranStaat2012, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred}, title = {A primal-dual shakedown analysis of 3D structures using the face-based smoothed finite element method}, series = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, booktitle = {Proceedings European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS 2012)}, editor = {Eberhardsteiner, J.}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PhamNguyenStaat2012, author = {Pham, Phu Tinh and Nguyen, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred}, title = {FEM based shakedown analysis of hardening structures}, series = {Proceedings International Conference on Advances in Computational Mechanics (ACOME)}, booktitle = {Proceedings International Conference on Advances in Computational Mechanics (ACOME)}, pages = {870 -- 882}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Staat2012, author = {Staat, Manfred}, title = {Limit and shakedown analysis under uncertainty}, series = {Proceedings International Conference on Advances in Computational Mechanics (ACOME)}, booktitle = {Proceedings International Conference on Advances in Computational Mechanics (ACOME)}, pages = {837 -- 861}, year = {2012}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{FrotscherRaatschenStaat2012, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Raatschen, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Effectiveness of the edge-based smoothed finite element method applied to soft biological tissues}, series = {ESMC-2012 - 8th European Solid Mechanics Conference, Graz, Austria, July 9-13, 2012}, booktitle = {ESMC-2012 - 8th European Solid Mechanics Conference, Graz, Austria, July 9-13, 2012}, editor = {Holzapfel, Gerhard A.}, publisher = {Verlag d. Technischen Universit{\"a}t Graz}, address = {Graz}, isbn = {978-3-85125-223-1}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DuongNguyenStaat2012, author = {Duong, Minh Tuan and Nguyen, Nhu Hunyh and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Finite Element Implementation of a 3D Fung-type Model}, series = {ESMC-2012 - 8th European Solid Mechanics Conference, Graz, Austria, July 9-13, 2012}, booktitle = {ESMC-2012 - 8th European Solid Mechanics Conference, Graz, Austria, July 9-13, 2012}, publisher = {Verlag d. Technischen Universit{\"a}t Graz}, address = {Graz}, isbn = {978-3-85125-223-1}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrotscherKochRaatschenetal.2014, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Koch, Jan-Peter and Raatschen, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Evaluation of a computational model for drug action on cardiac tissue}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20 - 25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20 - 25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{JungStaatMueller2014, author = {Jung, Alexander and Staat, Manfred and M{\"u}ller, Wolfram}, title = {Optimization of the flight style in ski jumping}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20 - 25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20 - 25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {799 -- 810}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BhattaraiFrotscherSoraetal.2014, author = {Bhattarai, Aroj and Frotscher, Ralf and Sora, M.-C. and Staat, Manfred}, title = {A 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor for the reconstruction of urinary incontinence}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranStaat2014, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Uncertain multimode failure and limit analysis of shells}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DuongStaat2014, author = {Duong, Minh Tuan and Staat, Manfred}, title = {A face-based smoothed finite element method for hyperelastic models and tissue growth}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranStaatStavroulakis2014, author = {Tran, Ngoc Trinh and Staat, Manfred and Stavroulakis, G. E.}, title = {A multicriteria method for truss optimization}, series = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, booktitle = {11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI) ; 5th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (ECCM V) ; 6th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECFD VI) ; July 20-25, 2014, Barcelona}, editor = {Onate, E.}, organization = {World Congress on Computational Mechanics <11, 2014, Barcelona>}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StaatHeitzer2002, author = {Staat, Manfred and Heitzer, Michael}, title = {The restricted influence of kinematic hardening on shakedown loads}, year = {2002}, abstract = {Structural design analyses are conducted with the aim of verifying the exclusion of ratcheting. To this end it is important to make a clear distinction between the shakedown range and the ratcheting range. In cyclic plasticity more sophisticated hardening models have been suggested in order to model the strain evolution observed in ratcheting experiments. The hardening models used in shakedown analysis are comparatively simple. It is shown that shakedown analysis can make quite stable predictions of admissible load ranges despite the simplicity of the underlying hardening models. A linear and a nonlinear kinematic hardening model of two-surface plasticity are compared in material shakedown analysis. Both give identical or similar shakedown ranges. Structural shakedown analyses show that the loading may have a more pronounced effect than the hardening model.}, subject = {Biomedizinische Technik}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Staat2003, author = {Staat, Manfred}, title = {Design by Analysis of Pressure Components by non-linear Optimization}, year = {2003}, abstract = {This paper presents the direct route to Design by Analysis (DBA) of the new European pressure vessel standard in the language of limit and shakedown analysis (LISA). This approach leads to an optimization problem. Its solution with Finite Element Analysis is demonstrated for some examples from the DBA-Manual. One observation from the examples is, that the optimisation approach gives reliable and close lower bound solutions leading to simple and optimised design decision.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranStaatKreissig2007, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred and Kreißig, R.}, title = {Calculation of load carrying capacity of shell structures with elasto-plastic material by direct methods}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Proceedings of the International Conference on Material Theory and Nonlinear Dynamics. MatDyn. Hanoi, Vietnam, Sept. 24-26, 2007, 8 p. In this paper, a method is introduced to determine the limit load of general shells using the finite element method. The method is based on an upper bound limit and shakedown analysis with elastic-perfectly plastic material model. A non-linear constrained optimisation problem is solved by using Newton's method in conjunction with a penalty method and the Lagrangean dual method. Numerical investigation of a pipe bend subjected to bending moments proves the effectiveness of the algorithm.}, subject = {Finite-Elemente-Methode}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TranStaatKreissig2007, author = {Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Staat, Manfred and Kreißig, R.}, title = {Finite element shakedown and limit reliability analysis of thin shells}, year = {2007}, abstract = {A procedure for the evaluation of the failure probability of elastic-plastic thin shell structures is presented. The procedure involves a deterministic limit and shakedown analysis for each probabilistic iteration which is based on the kinematical approach and the use the exact Ilyushin yield surface. Based on a direct definition of the limit state function, the non-linear problems may be efficiently solved by using the First and Second Order Reliabiblity Methods (Form/SORM). This direct approach reduces considerably the necessary knowledge of uncertain technological input data, computing costs and the numerical error. In: Computational plasticity / ed. by Eugenio Onate. Dordrecht: Springer 2007. VII, 265 S. (Computational Methods in Applied Sciences ; 7) (COMPLAS IX. Part 1 . International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE)). ISBN 978-1-402-06576-7 S. 186-189}, subject = {Finite-Elemente-Methode}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Staat2006, author = {Staat, Manfred}, title = {Problems and chances for probabilistic fracture mechanics in the analysis of steel pressure boundary reliability. - {\"U}berarb. Ausg.}, year = {2006}, abstract = {In: Technical feasibility and reliability of passive safety systems for nuclear power plants. Proceedings of an Advisory Group Meeting held in J{\"u}lich, 21-24 November 1994. - Vienna , 1996. - Seite: 43 - 55 IAEA-TECDOC-920 Abstract: It is shown that the difficulty for probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is the general problem of the high reliability of a small population. There is no way around the problem as yet. Therefore what PFM can contribute to the reliability of steel pressure boundaries is demon­strated with the example of a typical reactor pressure vessel and critically discussed. Although no method is distinguishable that could give exact failure probabilities, PFM has several addi­tional chances. Upper limits for failure probability may be obtained together with trends for design and operating conditions. Further, PFM can identify the most sensitive parameters, improved control of which would increase reliability. Thus PFM should play a vital role in the analysis of steel pressure boundaries despite all shortcomings.}, subject = {Bruchmechanik}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrotscherStaat2015, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {An electromechanical model for cardiac tissue constructs}, series = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, booktitle = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, publisher = {RWTH Aachen University}, address = {Aachen}, organization = {ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference <3, 2015, Aachen>}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BhattaraiFrotscherStaat2015, author = {Bhattarai, Aroj and Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Biomechanical study of the female pelvic floor dysfunction using the finite element method}, series = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen , Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, booktitle = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen , Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, publisher = {RWTH Aachen University}, address = {Aachen}, organization = {ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference <3, 2015, Aachen>}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DuongNguyenStaat2015, author = {Duong, Minh Tuan and Nguyen, N. H. and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Modeling and simulation of a growing mass by the Smoothed Finite Element Method (SFEM)}, series = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen, Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, booktitle = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen, Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, publisher = {RWTH Aachen University}, address = {Aachen}, organization = {ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference <3, 2015, Aachen>}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PhamStaat2015, author = {Pham, Phu Tinh and Staat, Manfred}, title = {A simplification for shakedown analysis of hardening structures}, series = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen , Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, booktitle = {Conference proceedings of the YIC GACM 2015 : 3rd ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference and 6th GACM Colloquium on Computational Mechanics , Aachen , Germany, 20.07.2015 - 23.07.2015 / ed.: Stefanie Elgeti ; Jaan-Willem Simon}, publisher = {RWTH Aachen University}, address = {Aachen}, organization = {ECCOMAS Young Investigators Conference <3, 2015, Aachen>}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrotscherStaat2015, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Homogenization of a cardiac tissue construct}, series = {CMBE15 : 4th International Conference on Computational \& Mathematical Biomedical Engineering ; 29th June - 1st July 2015 ; {\´E}cole Normale Sup{\´e}rieure de Cachan ; Cachan (Paris), France}, booktitle = {CMBE15 : 4th International Conference on Computational \& Mathematical Biomedical Engineering ; 29th June - 1st July 2015 ; {\´E}cole Normale Sup{\´e}rieure de Cachan ; Cachan (Paris), France}, editor = {Nithiarasu, Perumal}, publisher = {CMBE}, address = {[s.l.]}, issn = {2227-9385}, pages = {645 -- 648}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrotscherDuongStaat2015, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Duong, Minh Tuan and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Simulating beating cardiomyocytes with electromechanical coupling}, series = {II. International Conference on Biomedical Technology : 28-30 October 2015 Hannover, Germany / T. Lenarz, P. Wriggers (Eds.)}, booktitle = {II. International Conference on Biomedical Technology : 28-30 October 2015 Hannover, Germany / T. Lenarz, P. Wriggers (Eds.)}, organization = {International Conference on Biomedical Technology <2, 2015, Hannover>}, pages = {1 -- 2}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{JungStaatMueller2016, author = {Jung, Alexander and Staat, Manfred and M{\"u}ller, Wolfram}, title = {Effect of wind on flight style optimisation in ski jumping}, series = {15th International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics ; July 9th-11th 2015, Edinburgh, UK}, booktitle = {15th International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics ; July 9th-11th 2015, Edinburgh, UK}, publisher = {The University of Edinburgh ; Loughborough University}, address = {Edinburgh}, pages = {53 -- 54}, year = {2016}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BhattaraiStaat2016, author = {Bhattarai, Aroj and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Female pelvic floor dysfunction: progress weakening of the support system}, series = {1st YRA MedTech Symposium 2016 : April 8th / 2016 / University of Duisburg-Essen}, booktitle = {1st YRA MedTech Symposium 2016 : April 8th / 2016 / University of Duisburg-Essen}, editor = {Erni, Daniel}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}t Duisburg-Essen}, address = {Duisburg}, organization = {MedTech Symposium}, doi = {10.17185/duepublico/40821}, pages = {11 -- 12}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The structure of the female pelvic floor (PF) is an inter-related system of bony pelvis,muscles, pelvic organs, fascias, ligaments, and nerves with multiple functions. Mechanically, thepelvic organ support system are of two types: (I) supporting system of the levator ani (LA) muscle,and (II) the suspension system of the endopelvic fascia condensation [1], [2]. Significantdenervation injury to the pelvic musculature, depolimerization of the collagen fibrils of the softvaginal hammock, cervical ring and ligaments during pregnancy and vaginal delivery weakens thenormal functions of the pelvic floor. Pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, sexual dysfunction aresome of the dysfunctions which increases progressively with age and menopause due toweakened support system according to the Integral theory [3]. An improved 3D finite elementmodel of the female pelvic floor as shown in Fig. 1 is constructed that: (I) considers the realisticsupport of the organs to the pelvic side walls, (II) employs the improvement of our previous FEmodel [4], [5] along with the patient based geometries, (III) incorporates the realistic anatomy andboundary conditions of the endopelvic (pubocervical and rectovaginal) fascia, and (IV) considersvarying stiffness of the endopelvic fascia in the craniocaudal direction [3]. Several computationsare carried out on the presented computational model with healthy and damaged supportingtissues, and comparisons are made to understand the physiopathology of the female PF disorders.}, language = {en} }