Computational modelling of biological soft tissues 
by Thanyani A. Pandelania*, Dawood A. Desai†, Fulufhelo Nemavhola & and Harry M. Ngwangwab*
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* Department of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa.
a. epandet@unisa.ac.za
b. ngwanhm@unisa.ac.za
https://www.unisa.ac.za/
†Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
desaida@tut.ac.za
https://www.tut.ac.za/faculties/engineering/departments/mechanical/research-postgraduate-studies
&Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built
Environment, Durban University of Technology,
P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
FulufheloN1@dut.ac.za
https://www.dut.ac.za/

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ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Biological soft tissues are subjected to large deformations with negligible volume changes and show an anisotropic mechanical response due to their internal structure. There has been lots of experimental testing on biological tissues, but computational modelling is required to fully understand the response of this tissues under different loadings.

Summary:

The purpose of this minisymposium is to bring together researchers in the field of modeling and optimisation of soft tissues This minisymposium will presents work on a computational framework to capture and couple important mechanical, chemical and biological aspect of soft tissue.

This session focuses on:

Understanding the fundamentals of biomedical tissue and modelling and characterisation of soft tissue using computational models.

Invited papers:

Papers are invited that cover any aspect of computational of soft biological tissues. There will be opportunities for round table discussions on future research directions within this biomechanics field in computational modelling.

Granular Materials and Bulk Handling
by Corné Coetzee*
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* Stellenbosch University
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
ccoetzee@sun.ac.za

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Key words:
Granular Materials, Bulk Materials, Discrete Element Modelling, Computational Methods, Calibration, Application, Validation

ABSTRACT

Efficient bulk material handling is crucial for sectors like mining, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and the food industry. Granular materials are complex and diverse in nature, ranging from fine powders to grains, soil, and even fibres. Computational modelling of these materials
is challenging.

The purpose of this minisymposium is to bring together researchers in the field of modelling of granular materials. This includes all granular materials, for example fine powders, larger particles such as agricultural grains and mining ores, fibres, pharmaceutical and food products, etc.

Papers are invited that cover any aspect of the computational modelling of granular materials:

1. The development and application of computational methods such as the discrete element method (DEM), the material point method (MPM), smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multi-body dynamics (MBD), and coupled methods such as CFD-DEM and DEM-MBD.
2. Modelling and experimental techniques focussing on a single contact between two bodies, or the bulk behaviour of more particles.
3. Calibration of material input parameters, including experimental methods and modelling and optimisation techniques.
4. Validation examples, including industry scale and laboratory scale applications.
5. Examples from industry where computational modelling is used.