Abstract
A 3D finite element model for charged hydrated soft tissue containing charged/uncharged solutes was developed based on the multi-phasic mechano-electrochemical mixture theory [1–2]. This model was applied to analyze the mechanical, chemical and electrical signals within the human intervertebral disc under mechanical loading. The effects of tissue composition and material property on the physical signals and the transport of fluid, ions and nutrients were investigated. This study is important for understanding disc biomechanics, disc nutrition and disc mechanobiology.