A Controllability Approach for Resonant Compliant Systems: Applied to a Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle

This thesis studies a controllability approach for general resonant compliant systems. These systems exploit resonance to obtain a specific dynamic response at relatively low actuation power. This type of systems is often lightweight, is scalable and minimizes frictional losses through the use of compliant hinges. Some insect-inspired Flapping...

Topology Optimization with Stress Constraints

This thesis contains contributions to the development of topology optimization techniques capable of handling stress constraints. The research that led to these contributions was motivated by the need for topology optimization techniques more suitable for industrial applications. Currently, topology optimization is mainly used in the initial...

Pushing the Boundaries: Level-set Methods and Geometrical Nonlinearities in Structural Topology Optimization

This thesis aims at understanding and improving topology optimization techniques focusing on density-based level-set methods and geometrical nonlinearities. Central in this work are the numerical modeling of the mechanical response of a design and the consistency of the optimization process itself. Concerning the first topic, we investigate...

Mechanical Stability of Cementless Implants: The Glenoid Replacement

The aim of this project is to evaluate the contribution of different variables to the mechanical (in)stability of a cementless glenoid component. This is done using both numerical and experimental methods that allow the measurement or estimation of the bone-implant interface micromotions around the glenoid component in several scenarios that are...

Simulation of bone ingrowth

Abstract not available

Topology Optimization using a Topology Description Function Approach

During the last two decades, computational structural optimization methods have emerged, as computational power increased tremendously. Designers now have topological optimization routines at their disposal. These routines are able to generate the entire geometry of structures, provided only with information on loads, supports, and space to work...

Gradient-based approximate design optimization

The research presented in this thesis deals with gradient-enhanced approximate design optimization. This research has been carried out as part of the ADOPT project (Approximate Design OPTimization), a joint STW project with the Eindhoven University of Technology. In structural optimization, sensitivity analysis is often performed by means of the...