Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Characterizing Multiscale Mechanical Properties of Brain Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Impact Indentation, and Rheometry
Published on: September 6, 2016
Characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of brain tissue in compression and shear
M Hrapko1, J A W van Dommelen, G W M Peters
1Materials Technology Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
No validated, generally accepted data set on the mechanical properties of brain tissue exists, not even for small strains. Most of the experimental and methodological issues have previously been addressed for linear shear loading. The objective of this work was to obtain a consistent data set for the mechanical response of brain tissue to either compression or shear. Results for these two deformation modes were obtained from the same samples to reduce the effect of inter-sample variation. Since compression tests are not very common, the influence of several experimental conditions for the compression measurements was analysed in detail. Results with and without initial contact of the sample with the loading plate were compared. The influence of a fluid layer surrounding the sample and the effect of friction were examined and were found to play an important role during compression measurements.To validate the non-linear viscoelastic constitutive model of brain tissue that was developed in Hrapko et al. (Biorheology 43 (2006), 623-636) and has shown to provide a good prediction of the shear response, the model has been implemented in the explicit Finite Element code MADYMO. The model predictions were compared to compression relaxation results up to 15% strain of porcine brain tissue samples. Model simulations with boundary conditions varying within the physical ranges of friction, initial contact and compression rate are used to interpret the compression results.
More Related Videos
07:57Viscoelastic Characterization of Soft Tissue-Mimicking Gelatin Phantoms using Indentation and Magnetic Resonance Elastography
Published on: May 10, 2022
11:28A Coupled Experiment-finite Element Modeling Methodology for Assessing High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials
Published on: May 18, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Shearing Strain
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Stress: General Loading Conditions
The shearing force, possessing potential directionality within the plane of the section, is simplified into two component forces running parallel to the x and y axes.
Plastic Behavior
Elastic Strain Energy for Shearing Stresses