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A finite element model for biofilm volume growth
Author(s) -
Bolea Albero Antonio,
Böl Markus
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pamm
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1617-7061
DOI - 10.1002/pamm.201110167
Subject(s) - biofilm , volume (thermodynamics) , finite element method , substrate (aquarium) , diffusion , work (physics) , materials science , chemistry , mechanics , chemical engineering , mathematics , bacteria , thermodynamics , physics , engineering , geology , ecology , biology , paleontology
In this work, we present a continuum‐based approach for biofilm volume growth. The deformation gradient will be multiplicatively decomposed into two parts: a growth part due to bacteria formation and an elastic part due to the interaction with the environment. In order to define the growth behaviour of biofilms, we use the Monod approach that depends non‐linearly on the substrate concentration. The substrate concentration in the biofilm is computed by means of a diffusion process, which includes substrate consumption, together with the mechanical behaviour as part of a coupled problem. (© 2011 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)