Meeting Abstract

25.1  Jan. 5  A New Engineering Tool for �What-If� Finite Element Analysis In Biology SIMKINS, D.C.*; WHITENACK, L.B.; MOTTA, P.J.; University of South Florida; University of South Florida; University of South Florida dsimkins@eng.usf.edu

Finite element analysis is a common analytical tool in engineering and is seeing increased usage in biology. Often, the only geometry information available is from a diagnostic technique, such as CT scans, that provide a set of discrete points representing the object. From these points, a mesh must be developed to perform the analysis, and the mesh itself becomes the geometric representation. In order to model a different geometry, e.g. in morphological studies, a new mesh must be generated. This can be a difficult and time consuming task. The newly developed Reproducing Kernel Element Method (RKEM) provides a way to model discrete point sets in a smooth and highly accurate fashion, and at the same time allows a user to modify the geometry without any re-meshing. This has the potential to be a powerful tool for biologists interested in performing �what-if� mechanical analyses on CT models. In this talk, we present an introduction to the use of this new capability and explore some interesting applications in functional morphology of elasmobranch teeth. We will demonstrate how to exploit the RKEM method to greatly reduce the number of points and complexity of an FE model without loss of accuracy in a tooth from Galeocerdo cuvier. Further, using the simpler RKEM model, we will show how one can make significant modifications to the geometry without re-meshing.