From single fiber to macro-level mechanics: A structural finite-element model for elastomeric fibrous biomaterials.

ABSTRACT: In the present work, we demonstrate that the mesoscopic in-plane mechanical behavior of membrane elastomeric scaffolds can be simulated by replication of actual quantified fibrous geometries. Elastomeric electrospun polyurethane (ES-PEUU) scaffolds, with and without particulate inclusions, were utilized. Simulations were developed from experimentally-derived fiber network geometries, based on a range of scaffold isotropic and anisotropic behaviors. These were chosen to evaluate the effects on macro-mechanics based on measurable geometric parameters such as fiber intersections, connectivity, orientation, and diameter. Simulations were conducted with only the fiber material model parameters adjusted to match the macro-level mechanical test data. Fiber model validation was performed at the mi

SUBMITTER: D'Amore A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4165725 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature