Timoshenko beam model for chiral materials

Natural and artificial chiral materials such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), chromatin fibers, flagellar filaments, chiral nanotubes, and chiral lattice materials widely exist. Due to the chirality of intricately helical or twisted microstructures, such materials hold great promise for use in diverse applications in smart sensors and actuators, force probes in biomedical engineering, structural elements for absorption of microwaves and elastic waves, etc. In this paper, a Timoshenko beam model for chiral materials is developed based on noncentrosymmetric micropolar elasticity theory. The governing equations and boundary conditions for a chiral beam problem are derived using the variational method and Hamilton’s principle. The static bending and free vibration problem of a chiral beam are investigated using the proposed model. It is found that chirality can significantly affect the mechanical behavior of beams, making materials more flexible compared with nonchiral counterparts, inducing coupled twisting deformation, relatively larger deflection, and lower natural frequency. This study is helpful not only for understanding the mechanical behavior of chiral materials such as DNA and chromatin fibers and characterizing their mechanical properties, but also for the design of hierarchically structured chiral materials.     

Torsion of Incompressible Fiber-Reinforced Nonlinearly Elastic Circular Cylinders

Torsion of solid cylinders in the context of nonlinear elasticity theory has been widely investigated with application to the behavior of rubber-like materials. More recently, this problem has attracted attention in investigations of the biomechanics of soft tissues and has been applied, for example, to examine the mechanical behavior of passive papillary muscles of the heart. A recent study in nonlinear elasticity was concerned specifically with the effects of strain-stiffening on the torsional response of solid circular cylinders. The cylinders are composed of incompressible isotropic nonlinearly elastic materials that undergo severe strain-stiffening in the stress-stretch response. Here we investigate similar issues for fiber-reinforced transversely-isotropic circular cylinders. We consider a class of incompressible anisotropic materials with strain-energy densities that are of logarithmic form in the anisotropic invariant. These models reflect stretch induced strain-stiffening of collagen fibers on loading and have been shown to model the mechanical behavior of many fibrous soft biological tissues. The consideration of anisotropy leads to a more elaborate mechanical response than was found for isotropic strain-stiffening materials. The classic Poynting effect found for rubber-like materials where torsion induces elongation of the cylinder is shown to be significantly different for the transversely-isotropic materials considered here. For sufficiently large anisotropy and under certain conditions on the amount of twist, a reverse-Poynting effect is demonstrated where the cylinder tends to shorten on twisting The results obtained here have important implications for the development of accurate torsion test protocols for determination of material properties of soft tissues.     

A mixed Von Mises distribution for modeling soft biological tissues with two distributed fiber properties

Constitutive modeling of biological tissues plays an important role in the understanding of tissue behavior and the development of synthetic materials for medical and bio-inspired applications. A structural continuum model that incorporates principal structural features of the tissue can potentially provide the link between microstructure and the macroscopic mechanical response of biological tissues. For most soft biological tissues, including arterial walls and skin tissue, the main load-carrying constituent is presumed to be the distributed collagen fibers embedded in a base matrix. It is believed that the organization of the collagen fibers gives rise to the anisotropy of the material. In this paper, a semi-structural constitutive model is proposed to account for planar fiber distributions with more than one distributed planar fiber property. Motivated by histology information of the wing membrane of the bat, a statistical treatment is formulated in this paper to capture the overall effect of the distribution of fiber cross-sectional area and the distribution of the number of fibers. This formulation is suitable for general cases when more than one fiber property varies spatially. Furthermore, this model is a two-dimensional specialization within the framework of a three-dimensional theory, which is different the formulation based on a fundamentally two-dimensional theory.     

Prediction of the softening and damage effects with permanent set in fibrous biological materials

Deformation induced softening is an inelastic phenomenon frequently accompanying mechanical response of soft biological tissues. Inelastic phenomena which occur in mechanical testing of biological tissues are very likely to be associated with alterations in the internal structure of these materials.In this study, a novel structural constitutive model is formulated to describe the inelastic effects in soft biological tissues such as Mullins type behavior, damage and permanent set as a result of residual strains after unloading. Anisotropic softening is considered by evolution of internal variables governing the anisotropic properties of the material. We consider two weight factors w_i (softening) and s_k (discontinuous damage) as internal variables characterizing the structural state of the material. Numerical simulations of several soft tissues are used to demonstrate the performance of the model in reproducing the inelastic behavior of soft biological tissues.     

Biaxial Mechanical Evaluation of Planar Biological Materials

A fundamental goal in constitutive modeling is to predict the mechanical behavior of a material under a generalized loading state. To achieve this goal, rigorous experimentation involving all relevant deformations is necessary to obtain both the form and material constants of a strain-energy density function. For both natural biological tissues and tissue-derived soft biomaterials, there exist many physiological, surgical, and medical device applications where rigorous constitutive models are required. Since biological tissues are generally considered incompressible, planar biaxial testing allows for a two-dimensional stress-state that can be used to characterize fully their mechanical properties. Application of biaxial testing to biological tissues initially developed as an extension of the techniques developed for the investigation of rubber elasticity [43, 57]. However, whereas for rubber-like materials the continuum scale is that of large polymer molecules, it is at the fiber-level (∼1 μm) for soft biological tissues. This is underscored by the fact that the fibers that comprise biological tissues exhibit finite nonlinear stress-strain responses and undergo large strains and rotations, which together induce complex mechanical behaviors not easily accounted for in classic constitutive models. Accounting for these behaviors by careful experimental evaluation and formulation of a constitutive model continues to be a challenging area in biomechanics. The focus of this paper is to describe a history of the application of biaxial testing techniques to soft planar tissues, their relation to relevant modern biomechanical constitutive theories, and important future trends. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Finite extension and torsion of fiber-reinforced non-linearly elastic circular cylinders

In the context of the theory of non-linear elasticity for rubber-like materials, the problem of finite extension and torsion of a circular bar or tube has been widely investigated. More recently, this problem has attracted considerable attention in studies on the biomechanics of soft tissues and has been applied, for example, to examine the mechanical behavior of passive papillary muscles of the heart. A recent study in non-linear elasticity was concerned specifically with the effects of strain-stiffening on the response of solid circular cylinders in the combined deformation of torsion superimposed on axial extension. The cylinders are composed of incompressible isotropic non-linearly elastic materials that undergo severe strain-stiffening in the stress–stretch response. For two specific material models that reflect limiting chain extensibility at the molecular level, it was shown that, in the absence of an additional axial force, a transition value γ=γ_t of the axial stretch exists such that for γ<γ_t, the stretched cylinder tends to elongate on twisting whereas for γ>γ_t, the stretched cylinder tends to shorten on twisting. These results are in sharp contrast with those for classical models for rubber such as the Mooney–Rivlin (and neo-Hookean) models that predict that the stretched circular cylinder always tends to further elongate on twisting. Here we investigate similar issues for fiber-reinforced transversely isotropic circular cylinders. We consider a class of incompressible anisotropic materials with strain-energy densities that are of logarithmic form in the anisotropic invariant. These models reflect limited fiber extensibility and in the biomechanics context model the stretch induced strain-stiffening of collagen fibers on loading. They have been shown to model the mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced rubber and many fibrous soft biological tissues. The consideration of anisotropy leads to a more elaborate mechanical response than was found for isotropic strain-stiffening materials. The results obtained here have important implications for extension–torsion tests for fiber-reinforced materials, for example in the development of accurate extension–torsion test protocols for determination of material properties of soft tissues.     

Folding of fiber composites with a hyperelastic matrix

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of the folding behavior of thin composite materials consisting of carbon fibers embedded in a silicone matrix. The soft matrix allows the fibers to microbuckle without breaking and this acts as a stress relief mechanism during folding, which allows the material to reach very high curvatures. The experiments show a highly non-linear moment vs. curvature relationship, as well as strain softening under cyclic loading. A finite element model has been created to study the micromechanics of the problem. The fibers are modeled as linear-elastic solid elements distributed in a hyperelastic matrix according to a random arrangement based on experimental observations. The simulations obtained from this model capture the detailed micromechanics of the problem and the experimentally observed non-linear response. The proposed model is in good quantitative agreement with the experimental results for the case of lower fiber volume fractions but in the case of higher volume fractions the predicted response is overly stiff.     

Oscillatory squeezing flow of a biological material

Large-amplitude oscillatory squeezing flow data are reported for a complex biological material, which is highly shear-thinning in oscillatory shear flow. This soft tissue has a linear viscoelastic limit at a strain of approximately 0.2%. The oscillatory squeezing flow data at large strain are analyzed using two constitutive models: a bi-viscosity Newtonian model, and a non-linear Maxwell model. It is found that although both models may have the same response in shape, the later matches with our non-linear experimental data better. It is also concluded that the non-linear response of the material in large amplitude oscillatory flow is mainly due to the shear thinning of the material. Received: 9 February 2000/Accepted: 22 February 2000     

BIOMECHANICAL MODELING OF SURFACE WRINKLING OF SOFT TISSUES WITH GROWTH-DEPENDENT MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

This paper explores growth induced morphological instabilities in biological soft materials.In view of that the growth of a living tissue not only changes its geometry but also can alter its mechanical properties,we suggest a refined volumetric growth model incorporating the effects of growth on the mechanical properties of materials.Analogy between this volumetric growth model and the conventional thermal stress model is addressed for both small and finite deformation problems,which brings great ease for the finite element analysis based on the suggested model.Examples of growth induced surface wrinkling behavior in soft composites,including coreshell soft cylinders and three-layered soft tissues,are explored.The results and discussions foresee possible applications of the model in understanding the correlation between the morphogenesis and growth of soft biological tissues(e.g.skins and tumors),as well as in evaluating the deformation and surface instability behavior of soft artificial materials induced by swelling/shrinkage.     

Fully non-linear wave models in fiber-reinforced anisotropic incompressible hyperelastic solids

Many composite materials, including biological tissues, are modeled as non-linear elastic materials reinforced with elastic fibers. In the current paper, the full set of dynamic equations for finite deformations of incompressible hyperelastic solids containing a single fiber family are considered. Finite-amplitude wave propagation ansätze compatible with the incompressibility condition are employed for a generic fiber family orientation. Corresponding non-linear and linear wave equations are derived. It is shown that for a certain class of constitutive relations, the fiber contribution vanishes when the displacement is independent of the fiber direction.Point symmetries of the derived wave models are classified with respect to the material parameters and the angle between the fibers and the wave propagation direction. For planar shear waves in materials with a strong fiber contribution, a special wave propagation direction is found for which the non-linear wave equations admit an additional symmetry group. Examples of exact time-dependent solutions are provided in several physical situations, including the evolution of pre-strained configurations and traveling waves.     

Prediction of bending rupture strength of non-linear materials with different behavior in tension and compression

Many materials have quite different stress-strain relations in tension and compression. Examples include such diverse materials as rock, cast iron, concrete, tire cord-rubber and soft biological tissues. It is shown by analysis in this paper that DBTC (different behavior in tension and compression) has a profound effect on the flexural strength as predicted by application of fundamental continuum mechanics relations. The theory is applied to a non-linear material model which is shown to be applicable to two widely different materials: concrete, which has more strength degradation in tension than in compression, and steel cord-rubber, which has strength which is enhanced in tension by cord strengthening and degraded in compression by cord microbuckling.     

Modeling of anisotropic wound healing

Biological soft tissues exhibit non-linear complex properties, the quantification of which presents a challenge. Nevertheless, these properties, such as skin anisotropy, highly influence different processes that occur in soft tissues, for instance wound healing, and thus its correct identification and quantification is crucial to understand them. Experimental and computational works are required in order to find the most precise model to replicate the tissues' properties. In this work, we present a wound healing model focused on the proliferative stage that includes angiogenesis and wound contraction in three dimensions and which relies on the accurate representation of the mechanical behavior of the skin. Thus, an anisotropic hyperelastic model has been considered to analyze the effect of collagen fibers on the healing evolution of an ellipsoidal wound. The implemented model accounts for the contribution of the ground matrix and two mechanically equivalent families of fibers. Simulation results show the evolution of the cellular and chemical species in the wound and the wound volume evolution. Moreover, the local strain directions depend on the relative wound orientation with respect to the fibers.     

The role of mechanics in biological and biologically inspired materials

In the development of new materials, researchers have recently turned to nature for inspiration and assistance. A special emphasis has been placed on understanding the development of biological materials from the traditional correlation of structure to property, as well as correlating structure to functionality. The natural evolution of structure in biological materials is guided by the interaction between these materials and their environment. What is most notable about natural materials is the way in which the structure is able to adapt at a wide range of length scales. Much of the interaction that biological materials experience occurs through mechanical contact. Therefore, to develop biologically inspired materials it is necessary to quantify the mechanical behavior of and mechanical influences on biological structures with the intention of defining the natural structure-property-functionality relationship for these materials. In particular, the role mechanics has assumed in understanding biological materials, and the biologically inspired materials developed from this knowledge, will be clarified. The following will serve to elucidate on this role: the helical structure of fibrous tissue, the multi-scale structure of wood, and the biologically inspired optimal structure of functionally graded materials.     

Using high-frequency vibrations and non-linear inclusions to create metamaterials with adjustable effective properties

We investigate how high-frequency (HF) excitation combined with strongly non-linear elasticity may influence the effective properties for low-frequency wave propagation. The HF effects are demonstrated for linear spring-mass chains with embedded non-linear parts. The investigated mechanical systems can be viewed as a one-dimensional model of materials with non-linear inclusions. The presented analytical and numerical results show that effective material properties can be altered by establishing HF standing waves in the non-linear regions of the chain. In addition, it is demonstrated how true static displacements and forces can be created by using HF excitation with structures having asymmetric displacement-force characteristics.     

On non-physical response in models for fiber-reinforced hyperelastic materials

Soft biological tissues are sometimes composed of thin and stiff collagen fibers in a soft matrix leading to a strong anisotropy. Commonly, constitutive models for quasi-incompressible materials, as for soft biological tissues, make use of an additive split of the Helmholz free-energy into a volumetric and a deviatoric part that is applied to the matrix and fiber contribution. This split offers conceptual and numerical advantages. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a non-physical effect that arises thereof. In fact, simulations involving uniaxial stress configurations reveal volume growth at rather small stretches. Numerical methods such as the Augmented Lagrangian method might be used to suppress this behavior. An alternative approach, proposed here, solves this problem on the constitutive level.     

Coupled hydro-mechanical effects in a poro-hyperelastic material

Fluid-saturated materials are encountered in several areas of engineering and biological applications. Geologic media saturated with water, oil and gas and biological materials such as bone saturated with synovial fluid, soft tissues containing blood and plasma and synthetic materials impregnated with energy absorbing fluids are some examples. In many instances such materials can be examined quite successfully by appeal to classical theories of poroelasticity where the skeletal deformations can be modelled as linear elastic. In the case of soft biological tissues and even highly compressible organic geological materials, the porous skeleton can experience large strains and, unlike rubberlike materials, the fluid plays an important role in maintaining the large strain capability of the material. In some instances, the removal of the fluid can render the geological or biological material void of any hyperelastic effects. While the fluid component can be present at various scales and forms, a useful first approximation would be to treat the material as hyperelastic where the fabric can experience large strains consistent with a hyperelastic material and an independent scalar pressure describes the pore fluid response. The flow of fluid within the porous skeleton is defined by Darcy's law for an isotropic material, which is formulated in terms of the relative velocity between the pore fluid and the porous skeleton. It is assumed that the form of Darcy's law remains unchanged during the large strain behaviour. This approach basically extends Biot's theory of classical poroelasticity to include finite deformations. The developments are used to examine the poro-hyperelastic behaviour of certain one-dimensional problems.     

Evaluating the mechanical behavior of arterial tissue using digital image correlation

In this study, digital image correlation (DIC) was adopted to examine the mechanical behavior of arterial tissue from bovine aorta. Rectangular sections comprised of the intimal and medial layers were excised from the descending aorta and loaded in displacement control uniaxial tension up to 40 percent elongation. Specimens of silicon rubber sheet were also prepared and served as a benchmark material in the application of DIC for the evaluation of large strains; the elastomer was loaded to 50 percent elongation. The arterial specimens exhibited a non-linear hyperelastic stress-strain response and the stiffness increased with percent elongation. Using a bilinear model to describe the uniaxial behavior, the average minor and major elastic modulii were 192±8 KPa and 912±40 KPa, respectively. Poisson's ratio of the arterial sections increased with the magnitude of axial strain; the average Poisson's ratio was 0.17±0.02. Although the correlation coefficient obtained from image correlation decreased with the percent elongation, a correlation coefficient greater than 0.8 was achieved for the tissue experiments and exceeded that obtained in the evaluation of the elastomer. Based on results from this study, DIC may serve as a valuable method for the determination of mechanical properties of arteries and other soft tissues.     

软材料粘接结构界面破坏研究综述

软材料已经在软机器人、生物医学及柔性电子等各个领域得到广泛的应用. 实际应用中, 软材料多需要粘附于不同类型的基底上, 与之共同组成工程构件进而实现特定的功能, 粘接界面性能对构件的结构完整性与功能可靠性起着关键性作用. 本文对目前软材料粘接结构界面破坏行为方面的研究进行了系统总结. 首先通过与传统粘接结构的对比, 指出了“软界面”与“软基体”两种软材料粘接结构界面破坏行为的独特性及其物理本质. 接着分别总结了“软界面”与“软基体”两种粘接结构界面破坏行为的实验表征方面的研究成果, 对界面及基体黏弹性耗散对界面破坏机理的影响分别进行了分析. 然后从理论角度, 介绍了针对两种软材料粘接结构界面破坏行为的理论分析方法, 并对已建立的相关理论模型进行了总结. 之后以内聚力模型方法为基础, 介绍了软材料粘接结构界面破坏行为数值模拟方面的相关研究进展. 最后基于已有的研究成果, 提出了目前研究所面临的挑战, 并对可能的软材料粘接结构界面破坏的未来研究方向进行了讨论和展望.      

A three-dimensional nonlinear model for dissipative response of soft tissue

A set of three-dimensional constitutive equations is proposed for modeling the nonlinear dissipative response of soft tissue. These constitutive equations are phenomenological in nature and they model a number of physical features that have been observed in soft tissue. The equations model the tissue as a composite of a purely elastic component and a dissipative component, both of which experience the same total dilatation and distortion. The stress response of the purely elastic component depends on dilatation, distortion and the stretch of material fibers, whereas the stress response of the dissipative component depends on distortional deformation only. The equations are hyperelastic in the sense that the stress is obtained by derivatives of a strain energy function, and they are properly invariant under superposed rigid body motions. In contrast with standard viscoelastic models of tissues, the proposed constitutive model includes the total deformation rate in evolution equations that can reproduce the observed physical feature that the hysteresis loops of most biological soft tissues are nearly independent of strain rate (Biomechanics, Mechanical Properties of Living Tissues, second ed. (1993)). Material constants are determined which produce good agreement with uniaxial stress experiments on superficial musculoaponeurotic system and facial skin.