A biophysically guided constitutive law of the musculotendon-complex: modelling and numerical implementation in Abaqus. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saini, Harnoor; Röhrle, Oliver
• Is Part Of: Computer methods and programs in biomedicine. Volume 226(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Skeletal muscle -- Continuum mechanics -- Motor-units -- Constitutive relation -- Abaqus -- Finite element; Medicine -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Biology -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Computers -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biology -- Computer programs; Medicine -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.107152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-2607

Abstract

Highlights: An open-access, 3D constitutive model template of the musculotendon complex is presented. The model is characterised to a variety of experimental data. Muscle behaviours are defined by directly specifying the second Piola-Kirchoff stress. The openly available and characterised user-material aims to foster data exchange. Abstract: Background and Objective: Many biomedical, clinical, and industrial applications may benefit from musculoskeletal simulations. Three-dimensional macroscopic muscle models (3D models) can more accurately represent muscle architecture than their 1D (line-segment) counterparts. Nevertheless, 3D models remain underutilised in academic, clinical, and commercial environments. Among the reasons for this is a lack of modelling and simulation standardisation, verification, and validation. Here, we strive towards a solution by providing an open-access, characterised, constitutive relation (CR) for 3D musculotendon models. Methods: The musculotendon complex is modelled following the state-of-the-art active stress approach and is treated as hyperelastic, transversely isotropic, and nearly incompressible. Furthermore, force-length and -velocity relationships are incorporated, and muscle activation is derived from motor-unit information. The CR was implemented within the commercial finite-element software package Abaqus as a user-subroutine. A masticatory system model with left and right masseters was used to demonstrate active and passive movement. Results: The CR was characterised by various experimental data sets and was able to capture a wide variety of passive and active behaviours. Furthermore, the masticatory simulations revealed that joint movement was sensitive to the muscle's in-fibre passive response. Conclusions: This user-material provides a "plug and play" template for 3D neuro-musculoskeletal finite element modelling. We hope that this reduces modelling effort, fosters exchange, and contributes to the standardisation of such models.