Experimental analysis and computational material modeling of lung tissue

This dissertation derives continuum mechanics based material models of lung tissues suitable for nonlinear finite element simulations. The compressible nonlinear viscoelastic material properties of viable lung parenchyma are investigated in uniaxial tension tests and novel volume-pressure-change experiments. The viscohyperelastic material parameters are identified simultaneously, incorporating the different sets of experiments in an innovative inverse analysis. In addition, material models of the constituents of lung tissue and peripheral airways and vessels are developed.