Low-strain effective Young’s modulus model and validation for multi-layer vocal fold-based silicone specimens with inclusions

A model of the effective low-strain elastic Young’s modulus multi-layer stacked composites is proposed, which capable to account for an arbitrary inclusion. Geometrical and discretization-based results are validated against measured moduli (from 10 up 40 kPa) on 14 molded silicone specimens embedding a stiff (298 inclusion with variable size, position, stacking. Specimens without represent muscle, superficial, epithelium layers in human vocal fold between 4 65 kPa. The proposed allows predict influence inclusion, mimicking structural abnormality or pathology somewhere within fold, modulus. Quantifying local stiffening bio-mechanics necessary step toward understanding mitigation pathologies associated voice disorders.