stivhedskort

Stivhedskort, or stiffness map, is a graphical representation of the spatial distribution of stiffness within a material or biological tissue. The term is used in Danish-speaking technical literature and is commonly translated as stiffness map or elasticity map in English. It is employed to visualize how mechanical properties vary across a structure.

Creation of a stivhedskort combines measurements of mechanical properties at many points with interpolation or modeling to form a continuous map. Experimental techniques include nanoindentation, dynamic mechanical analysis, ultrasound elastography, magnetic resonance elastography, and optical coherence elastography. Computational approaches use finite element models or inverse analysis to infer local moduli from observed responses under loading or imaging data.

Results are typically presented as two-dimensional heat maps or three-dimensional volumetric renders, with color codes indicating stiffness magnitude such as Young’s modulus or shear modulus. Values can be absolute or relative to a reference region, and maps may be sliced to highlight features of interest.

Applications span engineering and biomedicine. In engineering, stivhedskort support material characterization, quality control, and the design of composites and components with targeted stiffness distributions. In biomedicine and dentistry, they aid tissue engineering, implant and prosthetic design, and non-invasive assessment of tissue health by visualizing stiffness variations that may indicate disease, healing, or structural changes.

Limitations include resolution constraints, dependence on testing direction, and the need for careful calibration. While the term is most common in Danish contexts, the concept of a stiffness map is widely used under related names in various fields.