Behavior of cell aggregates under force-controlled compression

•Description of the mechanical behavior of cellular aggregates under constant force.•Coupling of tissue remodeling and elastic deformations.•Supporting the numerical solution of the model with analytical results.•Theoretical evaluation of asymptotic behavior of cell aggregates.

In this paper we study the mechanical behavior of multicellular aggregates under a cycle of compressive loads and releases. Some analytical properties of the solution are discussed and numerical results are presented for a compressive test under constant force imposed on a cylindrical specimen and for a cycle of compressions and releases. We show that a steady loaded configuration is achieved. The analytical determination of the steady state value allows to obtain mechanical parameters of the cellular structure that cannot be obtained on the basis of creep tests at constant stress.