Finite Element Formulation of Multiphasic Shell Elements for Cell Mechanics Analyses in FEBio

This study presents a novel formulation of multiphasic shell elements and its implementation in FEBio. The shell model includes front- and back-face nodal degrees-of-freedom for the solid displacement, effective fluid pressure and effective solute concentrations, and a linear interpolation of these variables across the shell thickness. This formulation was verified against classical models of cell physiology and validated against reported experimental measurements in chondrocytes. This implementation of passive transport of fluid and solutes across multiphasic membranes makes it possible to model the biomechanics of isolated cells or cells embedded in their extracellular matrix (ECM), accounting for solvent and solute transport.
Source: Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Category: Biomedical Engineering Source Type: research