Finite element modeling of bi-axial cyclic loadings on chondrocyte-seeded agarose

Abstract

We are developing a bi-axial-mechanical-conditioning bioreactor for cartilage tissue that capable of applying axial compression and shear deformation (simple shear) simultaneously with various parameter configurations. Finite element modeling (FEM) is used to predict the spatial and temporal stress and strain distributions within the construct subjected to bi-axial and uni-axial compression under both static and cyclic loadings. The results of these models suggest that with constant variables (percentage of deformation strain and loading frequency), the construct subjected to bi-axial loading has a largely homogeneous field of mechanical signals compared to uni-axial for both static and cyclic loadings. While bi-axial static loading gives a construct with slightly higher mechanical signals compared to uni-axial static loading, bi-axial cyclic loading on the other hand gives a construct with mostly reasonable and moderate values of mechanical signals, compared to both static and uniaxial cyclic loadings. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.