Two-dimensional nonlinear anisotropic elastic and in-vivo physiologic properties of the steer thoracic aorta based on in-vitro biaxial testing

Abstract

The Biaxial Test Program was conducted for the purpose of determining the in-vitro stress-strain-elasticity relationships of the steer thoracic aorta blood vessel material under the condition of plane stress (two-dimensional) loading. The non-linear anisotropic properties of the incompressible material are described in Chapter VI. Applying the in-vitro properties of the material to the in-vivo or physiologic condition of normal blood vessel pulsatile pressure and longitudinal tethering loadings, the functional characteristics of the blood vessel are determined for the in-vivo state. Physiologic predictions of vessel wall distensibility, wall stresses and strains, modulus of elasticity, and hemodynamic characteristics, are made based on the in-vitro properties of the aorta material. These analytical predictions are compared with the in-vitro and in-vivo experimental findings of other investigators and are found to be in good agreement.