Collagen fiber network infiltration : permeability and capillary infiltration

In dentin restoration, collagen fiber network infiltration is an issue. Using data from the litterature, we have constructed a relevant numerical geometrical model of the network. The specificity of our model is that the fibers are taken into account implicitly using a regularized Heaviside function. This function is either used to set the viscosity or to localize the contact line where capillary forces are applied. A level set technique with respect to fluid infiltration front tracking in five fiber networks using the level set method and Navier-Stokes equations with capillary terms is used to point out efficient critical infiltration parameters. A variational formulation which can be implemented in FEM is proposed both for the infiltration front and the contact line. Because of lack of knowledge on fiber orientation, different configurations were tested through permeability assessment of the whole network. Fiber orientation, interfibrillar space and contact angle influence were investigated.