Int. J. Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Vol. 5, Nos. 2/3, 2011 103 Influence of the fluid-structure interaction in biomechanics: application to parametric modal analysis and dynamics of the aorta under a shock A. El Baroudi, F. Razafimahery, N. Bideau and L. Rakotomanana* IRMAR, Mechanics Group, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042, Rennes Cédex, France Fax: +33223235918 E-mail: adil.el-baroudi@univ-rennes1.fr E-mail: fulgence.razafimahery@univ-rennes1.fr E-mail: nicolas.bideau@univ-rennes1.fr E-mail: lalaonirina.rakotomanana-ravelonarivo@univ-rennes1.fr *Corresponding author Abstract: The ascending branch of the aorta is one of the most stressed organ of the arterial system. We aim to design a biomechanical model for analysing the aorta dynamics under a shock. The model includes the aorta layers and the influence of the blood pressure. First, we undertake a modal analysis of the coupled aorta-blood system. For the analytical solving we adopt the Helmholtz decomposition. The finite element model is then validated by these original analytical solutions. The second part focuses on aorta-blood dynamics, corresponding to an acceleration/deceleration during car crash. Numerical and analytical solutions are compared. Keywords: fluid-structure interaction; arterial stenosis; multilayer; finite elements. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: El Baroudi, A., Razafimahery, F., Bideau, N. and Rakotomanana, L. (2011) ‘Influence of the fluid-structure interaction in biomechanics: application to parametric modal analysis and dynamics of the aorta under a shock’, Int. J. Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Vol. 5, Nos. 2/3, pp.103–131. Biographical notes: Adil El Baroudi received his MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology of Compiegne. He is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Mathematical Research, University of Rennes 1. His research interests include mathematical modelling of biological tissue interacting with fluid. Fulgence Razafimahery received his PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Rennes 1. He is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Mathematical Research, University of Rennes 1. His research interests are related to the fluid-structure interaction and finite element method. Nicolas Bideau received his MSc in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rennes 1. He is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.