Micromechanics motivated modeling of fibrous tissues

Abstract eng:
Investigation of the mechanical behavior of biological tissues requires efficient computational tools to provide a reliable prediction of their response. Hence there is a pressing need for models that based on realistic representation of tissues from their microstructure up to the macroscopic level. Presently, the number of models available in the literature which thoroughly capture the structure of biological tissues is fairly small. Here, we propose a novel micromechanically-based model for biological tissues that accounts for the properties of the constituting components, their spatial distribution and morphology. To this end, a 3D periodic representative volume element of the tissue is constructed and its average response is determined. The model reveals that crimped collagen fibers are recruited such that the mechanical response admits stiffening under tension versus a much softer response under compression. This model is useful to determine the mechanical response of tissues while reducing experimental labor.

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