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The Influence of Strain Rate Dependency on the Structure–Property Relations of Porcine Brain

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Abstract

This study examines the internal microstructure evolution of porcine brain during mechanical deformation. Strain rate dependency of porcine brain was investigated under quasi-static compression for strain rates of 0.00625, 0.025, and 0.10 s−1. Confocal microscopy was employed at 15, 30, and 40% strain to quantify microstructural changes, and image analysis was implemented to calculate the area fraction of neurons and glial cells. The nonlinear stress–strain behavior exhibited a viscoelastic response from the strain rate sensitivity observed, and image analysis revealed that the mean area fraction of neurons and glial cells increased according to the applied strain level and strain rate. The area fraction for the undamaged state was 7.85 ± 0.07%, but at 40% strain the values were 11.55 ± 0.35%, 13.30 ± 0.28%, and 19.50 ± 0.14% for respective strain rates of 0.00625, 0.025, and 0.10 s−1. The increased area fractions were a function of the applied strain rate and were attributed to the compaction of neural constituents and the stiffening tissue response. The microstructural variations in the tissue were linked to mechanical properties at progressive levels of compression in order to generate structure–property relationships useful for refining current FE material models.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Command under Contract No. W56HZV-08-C-0236 through a subcontract with Mississippi State University and was performed for the Simulation Based Reliability and Safety (SimBRS) research program. The authors also recognize the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Mississippi State University for their ongoing support of this research. Further acknowledgment must be given to Sansing Meat Services in Maben, MS for their assistance in providing porcine brain tissue specimens as well as Amanda Lawrence and Bill Monroe of the Mississippi State University Electron Microscopy Center for their assistance with the histological processing and operation of the confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. In addition, the authors recognize Dr. Jim Cooley for his assistance in the extraction procedure at the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine. UNCLASSIFIED: Dist A. Approved for public release.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University, 130 Creelman St., Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    Mark T. Begonia, Jun Liao & Lakiesha N. Williams

  2. Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, 200 Research Blvd., Starkville, MS, 39759, USA

    Raj Prabhu & Mark F. Horstemeyer

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  1. Mark T. Begonia
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  2. Raj Prabhu
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Correspondence to Lakiesha N. Williams.

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Associate Editor Sean S. Kohles oversaw the review of this article.

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Begonia, M.T., Prabhu, R., Liao, J. et al. The Influence of Strain Rate Dependency on the Structure–Property Relations of Porcine Brain. Ann Biomed Eng 38, 3043–3057 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0072-9

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