Interactions fluides-structures en biomécanique : exemple des globules rouges humains

Fluid-structure interactions in Biomechanics: the example of human red blood cells

UMR CNRS 6600, Université de Technologie de Compiègne

Abstract

Fluid-structure interactions are often met in Biomechanics. Indeed, tissues and blood vessels (arteries, veins) deform easily in order to adapt to the imposed fluid stresses. In the case of microcirculation, the capillary vessels may be considered as rigid, but then the cells (red and white blood cells) have to deform. This paper presents some of the main approaches used when modeling the fiow of cells suspended in a viscous liquid. The flow Reynolds nwnber is very small. Although the Stokes equations are linear, the presence of free surfaces that can deform significantly, leads to highly non linear effects.