Investigating an area of reduced wall thickness as a mechanism of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm initiation

Abstract

Few previous studies of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) have incorporated empirical measurements to compare against their corresponding computational material models. Even fewer studies have been conducted to investigate causes of AAAs. The research objective of this thesis is to investigate an area of reduced wall thickness as a factor in aneurysm initiation, using a “tissue-like” material and comparing with the material model most commonly used for aortic simulations. A “tissue-like” silicone material, Smooth-Sil 940, was selected and a study was completed to obtain the characteristics of the material. The material was then utilized to create specimens for a physical experimental model, and its material properties were utilized to generate computational models with the same material characteristics and geometry of the experimental models. Two studies were then completed in parallel; one computational and one experimental. When both studies were completed the results were compared and observations were made regarding the validity of the computational models, and the impact of an area of reduced wall thickness. Results from both studies suggest that an area of reduced wall thickness could be a critical factor for aneurysm initiation.