title: On a phenomenological model for active smooth muscle contraction.
abstract: This paper presents a three-dimensional phenomenological model for the description of smooth muscle activation. A strain energy function is proposed as sum of the strain energy stored in the passive tissue, consisting of elastin and collagen, and an active calcium-driven energy related to the chemical contraction of the smooth muscle cells. Further, the proposed model includes the dispersions of the orientations of smooth muscle cells and collagen. These dispersions, measured in experiments, can be directly inserted into the model. The approach is implemented into the framework of the finite element method. Consequently, beside a validation with experiments the modelling concept is used for a three-dimensional numerical study.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Solid Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böl
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D002118:Calcium