On a phenomenological model for active smooth muscle contraction

This paper presents a three-dimensional phenomenological model for the description of smooth muscle activation. A strain energy function is proposed as sum of the strain energy stored in the passive tissue, consisting of elastin and collagen, and an active calcium-driven energy related to the chemical contraction of the smooth muscle cells. Further, the proposed model includes the dispersions of the orientations of smooth muscle cells and collagen. These dispersions, measured in experiments, can be directly inserted into the model. The approach is implemented into the framework of the finite element method. Consequently, beside a validation with experiments the modelling concept is used for a three-dimensional numerical study.