Multiscale Elastic Models of Collagen Bio-structures: From Cross-Linked Molecules to Soft Tissues - Multiscale Computer Modeling in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering - page 72

Multiscale Elastic Models of Collagen
Bio-structures: From Cross-Linked
Molecules to Soft Tissues
Michele Marino and Giuseppe Vairo
Abstract Mechanics of collagen bio-structures at different scales (nano, micro,
and macro) is addressed, aiming to describe multiscale mechanisms affecting the
constitutive response of soft collagen-rich tissues. Single-scale elastic models of
collagen molecules, fibrils, and crimped fibers are presented and integrated by
means of consistent inter-scale relationships and homogenization arguments. In
this way, a unique modeling framework based on a structural multiscale approach
is obtained, which allows to analyze the macroscale mechanical behavior of soft
collagenous tissues. It accounts for the dominant mechanisms at lower scales
without introducing phenomenological descriptions. Comparisons between
numerical results obtained via present model and the available experimental data
in the case of tendons and aortic walls prove present multiscale approach to be
effective in capturing the deep link between histology and mechanics, opening to
the possibility of developing patient-specific diagnostic and clinical tools.
1 Introduction
Soft tissues are throughout the whole human body and they include tendons,
ligaments, skin, fibrous tissues, muscles and blood vessels. They link, support, and
are part of other bio-structures and organs, playing a key role in the biomechanics
M. Marino ( & ) G. Vairo
Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science, University of Rome
''Tor Vergata'', via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
e-mail: [e-mail]
G. Vairo
e-mail: [e-mail]