Hyperelastic Models for Anisotropic Tissue Characterization

Abstract

Soft tissues typically exhibit nonlinear mechanical properties, which can be described using hyperelastic constitutive material models. Also, due to presence of multiple layers of differently oriented fibers in soft tissues, they are highly anisotropic in properties. In literature, a range of isotropic hyperelastic material models has been employed to characterize a wide range of soft tissues. This chapter reviews all such models in detail. Also, state-of-the-art anisotropic hyperelastic model formulation, incorporating multiple tissue layer interactions with varying fiber volume fractions and orientations, is discussed in depth. These hyperelastic models will be indispensable for characterization of nonlinear experimental stress–strain responses of soft tissues and their use in a wide range of computational models across disciplines.