Biomedical Engineering Department

Biomechanics

Dr. Mushtaq Alazazi

1
Textbook
 C. Ross Ethier, Craig A. Simmons Introductory
Biomechanics - From Cells to Organisms 2007
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title:
www.cambridge.org/9780521841122

 Cees Oomens, Marcel Brekelmans, Frank Baaijens

Biomechanics Concepts and Computation 2009
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title:
www.cambridge.org/9780521875585 2
Course description
• Biomechanics is one of the most
important supporting subjects for the
principles and practices of health
technology.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• This course will provide an introduction to
the mechanical behavior of biological
tissues and systems.

3
Specific topics include:
•Biomechanics of soft and hard tissues
1

•Static Equilibrium
2

•Mechanics of the cardiovascular

3 system

•Fluid Mechanics
4 4
Introduction to Biomechanics

5
 Introduction
• Biomechanics is a branch of the field of
bioengineering, which we define as the application
of engineering principles to biological systems. Most
bioengineering is applied to humans,
• The bioengineer seeks to understand basic

Biomechanics-BBM023
physiological processes, to improve human health
via applied problem solving.
• This is a difficult task, since the workings of the
body are complex. Despite this difficulty, the
bioengineer’s contribution can be substantial, and
the rewards for success far outweigh the difficulties
of the task.
6

Introduction to biomechanics Muscles and movement Whole muscle mechanics Biomechanics of the knee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal biomechanics The circulatory system Fluid mechanics Mechanics of circulatory system
 • Biomechanics is the study of how
physical forces interact with living
systems.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• If you are not familiar with biomechanics,
this might strike you as a somewhat
esoteric topic, and you may even ask
Why does
yourself the question:
biomechanics matter? 7

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 • It turns out that biomechanics is far
from esoteric and plays an
important role in diverse areas of
growth, development, tissue
remodeling.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• Further, biomechanics plays a
central role in the pathogenesis of
some diseases, and in the
treatment of these diseases.
8

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 How do your bones
“know”?
•how big and strong to be,
so that they can support
your weight, and deal

Biomechanics-BBM023
with the loads imposed on
them?
9

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Answer
• Evidence shows that the growth of bone is driven by
mechanical stimuli.
• More specifically, mechanical stresses and strains
induce bone cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) to
add or remove bone just where it is needed.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• Because of the obvious mechanical function
played by bone, it makes good sense to use
mechanical stress as the feedback signal for bone
growth and remodeling. But biomechanics also
plays a “hidden” regulatory role in other growth
processes, as the next example will show.
10

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 How do our arteries
“know”?
•how big to be, so that
they can deliver just the
right amount of blood to

Biomechanics-BBM023
their distal capillary?

11

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Answer
• There is good evidence that this is
determined in large part by the
mechanical stress exerted on the artery
wall by flowing blood.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• Endothelial cells lining the inner arterial
surface sense this stress and send signals
to cells deeper in the artery wall to direct
the remodeling of the artery so as to
enlarge or reduce its caliber.
12

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 What about biomechanics in
everyday life

Biomechanics-BBM023
13

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Answer
• Probably the most obvious application of
biomechanics is in LOCOMOTION
(walking, running, jumping), where our
muscles generate forces that are
transferred to the ground by bones and

Biomechanics-BBM023
soft connective tissue.
• This is so commonplace that we rarely
think about it, yet the biomechanics of
locomotion is remarkably complex
(watch a baby learning to walk!) and still
incompletely understood. 14

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 • The previous examples should give a
flavor of the important role that
biomechanics plays in health and
disease.
• One of the central characteristics of
the field is that it is highly

Biomechanics-BBM023
interdisciplinary: to be called
biomechanics, there must be
elements of both mechanics and
biology (or medicine).
15

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 • Another characteristic feature of
biomechanics is that the topic is fairly
broad.
• We can get a sense of just how broad it

Biomechanics-BBM023
is by looking at some of the professional
societies that fall under the heading of
biomechanics.
• For example, in Japan alone, at
least six different professional societies
cover the field of biomechanics. 16

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 A brief history of
biomechanics
• We can learn more about the field
of biomechanics by looking at its
history.
• In one sense, biomechanics is a

Biomechanics-BBM023
fairly young discipline, having been
recognized as an independent
subject of enquiry with its own body
of knowledge, societies, journals,
and conferences for only around
30–40 years. 17

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 A brief history of biomechanics

•For example,
• American Society of Mechanical
Engineering was established in late 1966.
• The International Society of
Biomechanics was founded August 30,

Biomechanics-BBM023
1973.
• The European Society of Biomechanics
was established May 21, 1976.
• The Japanese Society Biomechanics was
founded December 1, 1984.
18

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 An outline of this
Course
• We tend to conceptually break
down complex systems into
smaller functional units,
• We will follow this approach in

Biomechanics-BBM023
this course because we believe
that this is the best way for the
student to be introduced to a
topic. 19

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 An outline of this Course

• At a higher level, physiologists

subdivide the body into organs,
which are tissues specialized for a
specific purpose, and systems,

Biomechanics-BBM023
which are collections of organs
working in concert.
• In this course, we will also consider
the biomechanics of some of the
body’s systems. 20

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 An outline of this Course

Muscular system
• Muscles are specialized tissues that
generate force upon appropriate
stimulation.
• Muscular action is required for

Biomechanics-BBM023
locomotion (movement of the body),
motion of individual body parts, and bulk
transport of materials within the body
(e.g., pumping of blood by the heart).

21

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 An outline of this Course

Skeletal system
• This framework of bones and soft
connective tissues (cartilage,
ligaments, and tendons) provides a
rigid, supportive, and protective

Biomechanics-BBM023
structure for the body.
• The bony skeleton also provides
attachments for muscles, serves as
a system for movement and
locomotion.
22

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 An outline of this Course

Circulatory system
• This system delivers nutrients
and picks up waste
products from the cells, as

Biomechanics-BBM023
well as delivering signaling
molecules, such as
hormones, between
different organs. 23

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
Introduction to Cell

Biomechanics-BBM023
24
 Introduction to Cell

• The cell is the building block of

higher organisms. Individual
cells themselves are highly
complex living entities.
• There are two general cell

Biomechanics-BBM023
types: eukaryotic cells, found in
higher organisms such as
mammals, and prokaryotic
cells, such as bacteria. 25

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Introduction to Cell

Introduction to
cellular architecture
•Eukaryotic cells contain a
number of specialized
subsystems, or organelles,

Biomechanics-BBM023
that cooperate to allow
the cell to function.
26

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Biomechanics-BBM023
27

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Introduction to Cell

Walls (the membranes).

• These barriers are primarily made up of
lipids in a bilayer arrangement,
augmented by specialized proteins.
• They serve to enclose the cell, the

Biomechanics-BBM023
nucleus, and individual organelles (with
the exception of the cytoskeleton, which
is distributed throughout the cell). The
function of membranes is to create
compartments whose internal materials
can be segregated from their
28
surroundings.
Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Introduction to Cell

A framework
(the cytoskeleton).
• This organelle consists of long rod-
shaped molecules attached to one
another and to other organelles by
connecting molecules.

Biomechanics-BBM023
• The cytoskeleton gives the cell form,
allows it to move, helps to anchor the
cell to its substrate and neighbors, and
speeds the transport of materials within
certain types of cells.
29

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Introduction to Cell

Engines
(the mitochondria).
• These organelles produce most of
the basic energy containing
molecules from certain substrates
such as glucose. Then these energy

Biomechanics-BBM023
containing molecules are used by
other subsystems within the cell.

30

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Introduction to Cell

The cell’s energy system

• At the cellular level, energy-consuming tasks
include:
Motion, including both cellular shape
changes and locomotion of the cell on
its substrate

Biomechanics-BBM023
Synthesis of compounds

Transport of ions and other molecules,

both within the cell and between the
cell and its surroundings 31

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 How does the cell
utilize food energy?
When we eat a meal, the constituent food stuffs are
acted upon by the digestive enzymes and broken
down into simpler compounds, transferred into the
bloodstream across the intestinal walls, and then
transported throughout the body.

Biomechanics-BBM023
Individual cells are therefore presented with a
complex mixture of compounds from which they must
obtain energy. The cell solves this problem by having
specialized “energy plants” (mitochondria), which are
able to use compounds such as glucose and fatty
acids to produce a common energy-containing
molecule that all cellular organelles can use. This
common molecule is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). 32

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system
 Biomechanics-BBM023
33

Biomechanics
Introduction to biomechanics
Introduction to
Muscles
Cell and
Muscles
movement
and movement
Whole muscle
Whole muscle
mechanics
mechanics Biomechanics
Biomechanics of the
of the kneeknee

Mechanics of materials Skeletal

Skeletalbiomechanics
biomechanics The
The
circulatory
circulatory
system
system Fluid
Fluidmechanics
mechanics Mechanics
Mechanics of
of circulatory
circulatory system
system