4. Conclusions
This study for the first time validates a PF computational model with
the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation for biofilms, using independently
determined biofilm mechanical properties. Shear rheometer results
indicated the mixture of alginate and bacteria cells as a reasonable
surrogate for biofilm. The developed PF model captured deformations of
biofilms in a real fluid environment. The results of homogenous
synthetic biofilm showed a 12.8% error distance between modeling and
experimental geometries after the fluid driven deformation. Homogenized
real biofilm had a larger error (22.2%), possibly caused by the greater
spatial heterogeneity in mechanical properties as well as complex
biofilm geometry. Our study provides a promising way to capture and to
predict biofilm viscoelastic behavior.