Mechanics of Biological Tissues

The investigation of the mechanics of biological tissues is presented with regard to the biomechanical response of the foot in healthy and degraded conditions, as integrated with experimental and numerical approaches. A complete three-dimensional numerical model of the foot is reported considering bones, ligaments, adipose tissues, and skin. Constitutive models and associated parameters are defined to interpret the mechanical response of different biological tissues. The analyses consider typical features such as large displacements and strains, nonlinear elasticity, and time-dependent phenomena. The constitutive models are formulated starting from the analysis of the complex structural and micro-structural configuration of the tissues and evaluating the relationship between tissue histology and mechanical properties. The evaluation of the constitutive parameters is performed by a coupled deterministic and stochastic optimization method, considering data from experimental tests. The comparison of numerical model results and experimental data confirm the model’s ability to describe the mechanical behavior of the tissues investigated. Numerical analyses are performed to evaluate the biological tissues and structural mechanical behavior, while considering loading during the phases of the gait cycle. Moreover, degraded phenomena are investigated, considering the effects on the mechanical response. This chapter provides an overview of the methodology that integrates experimental and numerical approaches with biological tissues and structural mechanics, for a better interpretation of foot biomechanics, while supporting clinical activities.