Computational modelling of tendons: poromechanical approach for microscales

Resumo

Fluid flow effects on the microstructure of soft biological tissues are of fundamental importance in

understanding mechanobiological processes, such as in mechanotransduction. Since these tissues are highly het-
erogeneous and have a large microstructural hierarchy, investigations of macroscopic behavior by incorporating

microstructural effects can be performed using multiscale techniques. This work aims to bring additional discus-
sion related to the micromechanics of fibrous biological tissues such as tendons. For this purpose, technical aspects

involving the first-order multiscale formulation developed by the authors are discussed, presenting advantages and
limitations of this type of model. Some results related to a multiscale framework that considers hydro-mechanical
coupling are presented and discussed, aiming point out some features of the formulation.