Finite element modelling of biological connective soft tissues : application to the ligaments of the human knee
Finite element modelling of biological connective soft tissues : application to the ligaments of the human knee
The research presented in this thesis addresses the issue of analytical and numerical aspects of the constitutive modelling of biological soft connective tissues. A general theoretical framework for the modelling of strongly anisotropic continuum fibre-reinforced composites at finite strain was first developed in order to provide solid theoretical bases for the formulation of a structurally-justified constitutive law describing the mechanical behaviour of ligaments. Then, a three-dimensional (3D) incompressible transversely isotropic hyperelastic law accounting for the key features of ligaments (incompressibility, anisotropy, nonlinear material, large deformations and rotations, very small bending stiffness, presence of residual stresses) was implemented into a commercial explicit finite element (FE) code. As applications of the material model, finite element analyses using experimental material data, were performed for simulating the behaviour of a human Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) when the knee is subjected to a passive flexion. A second set of FE analysis was carried out in order to simulate the mechanical response of a 3D knee joint model (including the two collateral and the two cruciate ligaments) under anterior-posterior drawer forces.
The originality of the theoretical framework for strongly anisotropic continuum fibre-reinforced composites at finite strain lies in the fact that the first and second derivatives of the strain energy function was performed without assuming any particular material symmetry or any kinematic constraints such as incompressibility. This provided the advantage of capturing all the possible mutual interactions of the matrix and the two families of fibres and encompassing all types of material symmetry. Describing material with particular symmetries or kinematic constraints or accounting for specific mechanical interactions is just a question of degenerating the equations involved.
The incompressible transversely isotropic hyperelastic material implemented in the finite element code was properly validated against analytical solutions for homogenous states of deformation and demonstrated robust and very good performance in the sensitivity analyses phase.
University of Southampton
Limbert, George
6a129f72-81d6-4d7e-ba09-6d6a7c767989
2001
Limbert, George
6a129f72-81d6-4d7e-ba09-6d6a7c767989
Limbert, George
(2001)
Finite element modelling of biological connective soft tissues : application to the ligaments of the human knee.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The research presented in this thesis addresses the issue of analytical and numerical aspects of the constitutive modelling of biological soft connective tissues. A general theoretical framework for the modelling of strongly anisotropic continuum fibre-reinforced composites at finite strain was first developed in order to provide solid theoretical bases for the formulation of a structurally-justified constitutive law describing the mechanical behaviour of ligaments. Then, a three-dimensional (3D) incompressible transversely isotropic hyperelastic law accounting for the key features of ligaments (incompressibility, anisotropy, nonlinear material, large deformations and rotations, very small bending stiffness, presence of residual stresses) was implemented into a commercial explicit finite element (FE) code. As applications of the material model, finite element analyses using experimental material data, were performed for simulating the behaviour of a human Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) when the knee is subjected to a passive flexion. A second set of FE analysis was carried out in order to simulate the mechanical response of a 3D knee joint model (including the two collateral and the two cruciate ligaments) under anterior-posterior drawer forces.
The originality of the theoretical framework for strongly anisotropic continuum fibre-reinforced composites at finite strain lies in the fact that the first and second derivatives of the strain energy function was performed without assuming any particular material symmetry or any kinematic constraints such as incompressibility. This provided the advantage of capturing all the possible mutual interactions of the matrix and the two families of fibres and encompassing all types of material symmetry. Describing material with particular symmetries or kinematic constraints or accounting for specific mechanical interactions is just a question of degenerating the equations involved.
The incompressible transversely isotropic hyperelastic material implemented in the finite element code was properly validated against analytical solutions for homogenous states of deformation and demonstrated robust and very good performance in the sensitivity analyses phase.
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Published date: 2001
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Local EPrints ID: 464650
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/464650
PURE UUID: 97ae3855-138d-4de9-93ae-4e3e258a831c
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 23:54
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 19:40
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Author:
George Limbert
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