Case Study: Frankfurt University achieves deep‑tissue insight to reduce pressure sores with Dassault Systemes' Abaqus FEA

Researchers at Frankfurt University use Abaqus FEA for in-depth study of stress and strain on bodies at rest

Frankfurt University researchers at the Center for Biomedical Engineering tackled the persistent clinical problem of pressure sores by studying how human tissues interact with support surfaces. To build realistic, validated models of skin, fat, muscle and bone under load, the team used Abaqus FEA from Dassault Systemes together with MRI-based imaging to capture in-vivo tissue geometry and deformation.

Using Dassault Systemes' Abaqus FEA, the team parametrized tissue material properties, ran iterative simulations and validated results by superimposing FEA outputs on MRI scans. The work showed highest stress and strain deep at bone–muscle interfaces (matching clinical observations), enabled comparison of different foam designs, and guided mattress and cushion configurations that reduce internal tissue loading while expanding into broader BOSS models for seats and other applications.

Frankfurt University

Gerhard Silber

Professor of Materials Science