Tong Li^∗, Prasad KDV Yarlagadda^∗, Adekunle Oloyede^∗, Namal Thibbotuwawa^∗, YuanTong Gu^∗,†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 17-35, 2015, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2015.012.017

Abstract Living cells are the functional unit of organs that controls reactions to their exterior. However, the mechanics of living cells can be difficult to characterize due to the crypticity of their microscale structures and associated dynamic cellular processes. Fortunately, multiscale modelling provides a powerful simulation tool that can be used to study the mechanical properties of these soft hierarchical, biological systems. This paper reviews recent developments in hierarchical multiscale modeling technique that aimed at understanding cytoskeleton mechanics. Discussions are expanded with respects to cytoskeletal components including: intermediate filaments, microtubules and microfilament networks. The mechanical performance of difference cytoskeleton components are… More >

Yoshitaka Shimada^∗,†, Taiji Adachi^∗,†,‡, Yasuhiro Inoue^∗,†, Masaki Hojo^∗

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 161-174, 2009, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2009.006.161

Abstract The actin filament, which is the most abundant component of the cytoskeleton, plays important roles in fundamental cellular activities such as shape determination, cell motility, and mechanosensing. In each activity, the actin filament dynamically changes its structure by polymerization, depolymerization, and severing. These phenomena occur on the scales ranging from the dynamics of actin molecules to filament structural changes with its deformation due to the various forces, for example, by the membrane and solvent. To better understand the actin filament dynamics, it is important to focus on these scales and develop its mathematical model. Thus, the objectives of this study… More >

D. Chrupalla¹, J. Kreikemeier¹, S. Berg², L. Kärger³, M. Doreille⁴, T. Ludwig⁴, E. Jansen², R. Rolfes², A.Kling¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.32, No.3, pp. 159-176, 2012, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2012.032.159

Abstract In this paper, a loose coupling multiscale modeling technique for the detailed numerical analysis of critical areas in composite structures is presented. It is used to describe the global (macroscopic) behaviour of composite structures taking into account the effects of local phenomena. This is done by indirectly connecting the global and local FE-models. Prescribed displacements are assigned to the local boundaries in the transition from the global to local modeling level. The local-to-global transition is realized by assigning averaged local stresses to the respective global Gauss points and by updating the global tangent stiffness operator. To illustrate the feasibility of… More >

Filip Putar¹, Jurica Sorić^1,*, Tomislav Lesičar¹, Zdenko Tonković¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.120, No.1, pp. 123-156, 2019, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2019.06562

Abstract A novel multiscale algorithm based on the higher-order continuum at both micro- and macrostructural level is proposed for the consideration of the quasi-brittle damage response of heterogeneous materials. Herein, the microlevel damage is modelled by the degradation of the homogenized stress and tangent stiffness tensors, which are then upscaled to govern the localization at the macrolevel. The C¹ continuity finite element employing a modified case of Mindlin’s form II strain energy density is derived for the softening analysis. To the authors’ knowledge, the finite element discretization based on the strain gradient theory is applied for the modeling of damage evolution… More >

Sihan Chen¹, Bao Li¹, Haisheng Yang¹, Jianhang Du², Xiaoling Li², Youjun Liu^1,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.116, No.2, pp. 149-162, 2018, DOI: 10.31614/cmes.2018.04133

Abstract Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is able to treat myocardial ischemia, which is usually caused by coronary artery stenosis. However, the underlying mechanisms regarding why this technique is effective in treating myocardial ischemia remains unclear and there is no patient-specific counterpulsation mode for different rates of coronary artery stenosis in clinic. This study sought to investigate the hemodynamic effect of varied coronary artery stenosis rates when using EECP and the necessity of adopting targeted counterpulsation mode to consider different rates of coronary artery stenosis. Three 3-dimensional (3D) coronary models with different stenosis rates, including 55% (Model 1), 65% (Model 2), and… More >

Hao Dong¹, Yufeng Nie^1,2, Zihao Yang¹, Yang Zhang¹, Yatao Wu¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.111, No.5, pp. 395-419, 2016, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2016.111.395

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the numerical accuracy of asymptotic homogenization method (AHM) and multiscale finite element method (MsFEM) for periodic composite materials. Through numerical calculation of the model problems for four kinds of typical periodic composite materials, the main factors to determine the accuracy of first-order AHM and second-order AHM are found, and the physical interpretation of these factors is given. Furthermore, the way to recover multiscale solutions of first-order AHM and MsFEM is theoretically analyzed, and it is found that first-order AHM and MsFEM provide similar multiscale solutions under some assumptions. Finally, numerical experiments verify that MsFEM is… More >

H.Q. Nguyen¹, C.-D. Tran¹, T. Tran-Cong¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.109-110, No.4, pp. 361-403, 2015, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2015.109.361

Abstract In this paper, an Integrated Radial Basis Function (IRBF)-based multiscale method is used to simulate the rheological properties of dilute fibre suspensions. For the approach, a fusion of the IRBF computation scheme, the Discrete Adaptive Viscoelastic Stress Splitting (DAVSS) technique and the Fibre Configuration Field has been developed to investigate the evolution of the flow and the fibre configurations through two separate computational processes. Indeed, the flow conservation equations, which are expressed in vorticity-stream function formulation, are solved using IRBF-based numerical schemes while the evolution of fibre configuration fields governed by the Jeffery’s equation is captured using the principle of… More >

Marcin Maździarz¹, Marcin Gajewski²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.105, No.2, pp. 123-150, 2015, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2015.105.123

Abstract In this paper, the choice and parametrisation of finite deformation polyconvex isotropic hyperelastic models to describe the behaviour of a class of defect-free monocrystalline metal materials at the molecular level is examined. The article discusses some physical, mathematical and numerical demands which in our opinion should be fulfilled by elasticity models to be useful. A set of molecular numerical tests for aluminium and tungsten providing data for the fitting of a hyperelastic model was performed, and an algorithm for parametrisation is discussed. The proposed models with optimised parameters are superior to those used in non-linear mechanics of crystals. More >

Y. T. Wu¹, Y. F. Nie², Z. H. Yang¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.99, No.4, pp. 297-325, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2014.099.297

Abstract Four representative multiscale methods, namely asymptotic homogenization method (AHM), heterogeneous multiscale method (HMM), variational multiscale (VMS) method and multiscale finite element method (MsFEM), for elliptic problems with multiscale coefficients are surveyed. According to the features they possess, these methods are divided into two categories. AHM and HMM belong to the up–down framework. The feature of the framework is that the macroscopic solution is solved first with the help of effective information computed in local domains, and then the multiscale solution is resolved in local domains using the macroscopic solution when necessary. VMS method andMsFEM fall in the uncoupling framework. The… More >

V.B.Shim ¹, K. Mithraratne ¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.98, No.3, pp. 279-294, 2014, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2014.098.279

Abstract The activation of NF-kB is an important precursor in developing melanoma. However the role of mechanical stimulation in the NF-kB activation has not been studied. We used a multiscale computational modeling approach to investigate the role of mechanical stimulation and the skin tissue internal structures in the activation of NF-kB. Our model is made up of three levels – 1) the macro level where a FE model of the Zygomaticus major muscle was developed; 2) the meso level where a micro FE model of the skin block using a sample from human cadaver was developed; 3) the cell level where… More >