The Mechanics of Biological Materials

This book introduces the mechanical principles governing the behaviour of a wide range of biological materials, which are materials produced by a biological system. The approach is systematic and based on one-dimensional (fibres), two-dimensional (membrane), and three-dimensional (bulk) biological materials. The essential mathematical tools are developed from first principles and applied to materials as diverse as spider silk, blood vessels, and bone. It offers a progressive introduction of mathematics and mechanics concepts and offers detailed solutions to numerous worked examples.

• Provides an essential gateway to access complex treatises in the important and demanding models governing the observed behaviour of biological materials.

• Teaches readers to exploit the wondrous properties found in nature in the development of biomimetic applications.

• Offers a progressive introduction of mathematics and mechanics concepts.

• Includes detailed solutions to numerous worked examples, case studies, and homework problems.

The text is aimed at students of chemistry, materials engineering, and biology, who do not have a background in mechanics but wish to further their knowledge of the mechanics of biological materials.

A solutions manual is available to qualifying adopting professors.