Constitutive modeling of the finite deformation behavior of membranes possessing a triangulated networked microstructure

Many biological, natural and synthetic materials possess a networked or micro-truss-like microstructure. In this thesis work, a general microstructurally-informed continuum level constitutive model of the large stretch behavior of membranes possessing a triangulated network or truss-like structure is developed. As a specific example, a constitutive model of the stress-strain behavior of the red blood cell membrane is developed. The mechanical behavior of the membrane of the red blood cell is governed by two primary microstructural features: the lipid bilayer and the underlying spectrin network. The lipid bilayer is analogous to a 2D fluid in that it resists changes to its planar area, yet poses little resistance to planar shear. A skeletal network of spectrin molecules is crosslinked to the lipid bilayer and provides the shear stiffness of the membrane. The planar triangulated structure of the spectrin network is used to identify a representative volume element (RVE) for the model. A strain energy density function in terms of an arbitrary planar deformation field is proposed using the RVE. Differentiation of the strain energy density function provides expressions for the general multiaxial stress-stretch behavior of the material.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Arslan, Melis

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mary C. Boyce.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33906

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33906