Numerical simulation and experimental validation of biofilm in a multi-physics framework using an SPH based method

Abstract

In this paper, a 3D computational model has been developed to investigate biofilms in a multi-physics framework using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) based on a continuum approach. Biofilm formation is a complex process in the sense that several physical phenomena are coupled and consequently different time-scales are involved. On one hand, biofilm growth is driven by biological reaction and nutrient diffusion and on the other hand, it is influenced by fluid flow causing biofilm deformation and interface erosion in the context of fluid and deformable solid interaction. The geometrical and numerical complexity arising from these phenomena poses serious complications and challenges in grid-based techniques such as finite element.Here the solution is based on SPH as one of the powerful meshless methods. SPH based computational modeling is quite new in the biological community and the method is uniquely robust in capturing the interface-related processes of biofilm formation such as erosion. The obtained results show a good agreement with experimental and published data which demonstrates that the model is capable of simulating and predicting overall spatial and temporal evolution of biofilm.

A strongly coupled partitioned approach for fluid‐structure‐fracture interaction

“…To be more precise, the aims here are to develop a method that allows to One of the motivations of the present work is our interest in characterizing the fluid dynamic behavior and detachment/fracture characteristics of biofilm streamers. [1][2][3] The present work can be considered as a first step towards modeling biological FSFI applications in future, especially the biofilm detachment phenomenon 4,5 due to fluid loads.…”

Meshfree and Particle Methods in Biomechanics: Prospects and Challenges

“…A combined application of continuum damage theory and SPH technique was proposed by Rausch and his co-workers [117] to model the damage and failure of soft tissues. Soleimani et al [118] presented a 3D computational model to examine biofilms in a multi-physics framework using the SPH technique based on a continuum approach. The authors employed the SPH technique since it is uniquely robust in capturing the interface-related processes of biofilm formation.…”