Exploiting Viscoelastic Experimental Observations and Numerical Simulations to Infer Biomimetic Artificial Tendon Fiber Designs

Designing biomimetic artificial tendons requires a thorough, data-based understanding of the tendon's inner material properties. The current work exploits viscoelastic experimental observations at the tendon fascicle scale, making use of mechanical and data analysis methods. More specifically, based on reported elastic, volumetric and relaxation fascicle scale properties, we infer most probable, mechanically compatible material attributes at the fiber scale. In particular, the work provides pairs of elastic and viscous fiber-scale moduli, which can reproduce the upper scale tendon mechanics. The computed range of values for the fiber-scale tendon viscosity attest to the substantial stress relaxation capabilities of tendons. More importantly, the reported mechanical parameters constitute a basis for the design of tendon-specific restoration materials, such as fiber-based, engineering scaffolds

Investigating the Effect of Aging on the Viscosity of Tendon Fascicles and Fibers

In the current work, we investigate the effect of aging on the viscosity of tendon subunits. To that scope, we make use of experimental relaxation curves of healthy and aged tendon fascicles and fibers, upon which we identify the viscosity parameters characterizing the time-dependent behavior of each tendon subunit. We subsequently combine the obtained results with analytical viscoelastic homogenization analysis methods to extract information on the effective viscous contribution of the embedding matrix substance at the fiber scale. The results suggest that the matrix substance plays a significant role in the relaxation process of the upper tendon subunits both for aged and healthy specimens. What is more, the viscosity coefficients computed for the fibrillar components indicate that aging leads to a viscosity reduction that is statistically significant for both fascicles and fibers. Its impact is more prominent for the lower hierarchical scale of fibers. As such, the reduced stress relaxation capability at the tendon macroscale is to be primarily attributed to the modified viscosity of its inner fibrillar subunits rather than to the matrix substance

Multiscale modelling of fibrous and textile materials Preface

status: publishe

LatticeMech: A discrete mechanics code to compute the effective static properties of 2D metamaterial structures

In the current work, we provide a Bernoulli beam-mechanics based code for the computation of the effective static properties of two-dimensional, metamaterial lattice structures. The software makes use of the asymptotic expansion form of the inner kinematic and static variables of the lattice structure, exploiting its spatial periodicity. As such, it makes use of the smallest repetitive material unit, substantially reducing the cost of full-scale computations. For the identification of the basic cell’s parameters, a dedicated Graphical User Interface (GUI) is provided. The Python code computes the complete linear elasticity stiffness and compliance matrix based on Cauchy mechanics, providing access to all relevant material moduli. In particular, the normal, shear and bulk moduli, as well as the Poisson’s ratio and relative density values of the architectured material structure are elaborated. Its formulation favors the analysis of a wide range of lattice designs, establishing a fundamental link between micro- and macro-scale material properties.ISSN:2352-711

Modelisation micromecanique et calcul par elements finis du comportement de materiaux en cours de transformations de phases: cas des transformations perlithique et martensitique d'alliages ferreux

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : T 82475 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc