This was part of Mathematical Modeling of Biological Interfacial Phenomena

Multiscale modelling, analysis and simulation of plant biomechanics and growth

Mariya Ptashnyk, Heriot-Watt University

Thursday, December 12, 2024



Slides
Abstract: The interplay between the complex microscopic structures and microscopic (cellular) processes enables many biological tissues to combine the ability to resist high pressure and mechanical forces with the flexibility required for large expansions and growth. To analyse the interactions between the mechanics, microstructure, and the chemistry we derive microscopic models for plant biomechanics, assuming that the elastic/viscoelastic properties of plant cell walls depend on the chemical processes and chemical reactions depend on the mechanical stresses. Multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and growth parts is used to model the stress or strain based growth. To analyse and simulate the complex multiscale models, the macroscopic effective equations are derived using periodic or stochastic homogenization techniques. Numerical solutions for the macroscopic models demonstrate the impact of the microscopic structure and tissue heterogeneity on deformation and growth.