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Finite Element Formulation of Multiphasic Shell Elements for Cell Mechanics Analyses in FEBio
Jay C Hou1, Steve A Maas2, Jeffrey A Weiss2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|August 12, 2018
Summary
This study introduces novel multiphasic shell elements for finite element analysis, enabling detailed biomechanical modeling of cell membranes and transport processes in FEBio software.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Computational Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Finite element (FE) software like FEBio now supports multiphasic materials for analyzing cells in tissues.
- Accurate modeling of cell membranes is crucial for understanding fluid and solute transport, but lacks specialized FE elements.
- Existing FE methods struggle to efficiently model thin, complex cell membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement novel multiphasic shell elements for FEBio.
- To enable the simulation of cell membranes with detailed transport phenomena.
- To enhance the biomechanical analysis of cells within their extracellular matrix.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of multiphasic shell elements with specific nodal degrees of freedom.
- Implementation of these elements within the FEBio open-source software.
- Verification against established cell physiology models and validation with chondrocyte experimental data.
Main Results:
- Successful development and implementation of multiphasic shell elements in FEBio.
- Demonstrated capability to model passive transport of fluid and solutes across cell membranes.
- Validated the model's accuracy against experimental measurements.
Conclusions:
- The novel multiphasic shell elements significantly advance the capability of FEBio for cell biomechanics.
- This formulation allows for more realistic simulations of cellular transport and mechanical behavior.
- Enables detailed analysis of isolated cells or cells within complex tissue environments.
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