Modelling of fluid-structure interactions with the space-time finite elements: Arterial fluid mechanics

The stabilized space-time fluid-structure interaction (SSTFSI) techniques developed by the Team for Advanced Flow Simulation and Modeling (T*AFSM) are applied to FSI modelling in arterial fluid mechanics. Modelling of flow in arteries with aneurysm is emphasized. The SSTFSI techniques used are based on the deforming-spatial-domain/ stabilized space-time (DSD/SST) formulation and include the enhancements introduced recently by the T*AFSM to increase the scope, accuracy, robustness and efficiency of these techniques. The arterial structures can be modelled with the membrane or continuum elements, both of which are geometrically nonlinear, and the continuum element can be made of linearly elastic or hyperelastic material. Test computations are presented for cerebral and abdominal aortic aneurysms and carotid-artery bifurcation, where the arterial geometries used in the computations are close approximations to the patient-specific image-based data.