Smooth muscle shortening: material model analysis and FE simulation

The mechanical properties of contacting smooth muscle at isotonic conditions change as a function of muscle length at each Instance of time. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was carried out to predict the contraction of the muscle and the cross-section area change based on experimental data. The material model in the finite element analysis assumes that smooth muscle behaves as an elastic isotropic at any instant of time. A good representation of a viscoelastic material model is developed and the results of stresses and area changes are presented from the three-dimensional finite element analysis. Additionally, the representations of stress and strain were developed to describe the phenomena of muscle shortening. The results obtained indicate that the approach and the material model developed are useful for describing the length-dependent characteristics of smooth muscle.