Multiparticle Simulations of Deformable Red Blood Cells using Lattice-Boltzmann Method

The rheology of blood flow is largely dependent on red blood cell (RBC) membrane deformation. Furthermore, simulating blood at physiologic hematocrit requires inclusion of RBC deformation. A new method is developed by coupling the finite-element method for RBC's to the lattice-Boltzmann method for fluid flow. An elastic finite element model provides easy incorporation into the lattice-Boltzmann framework and enough computational efficiency to simulate suspensions at high volume fractions. Red blood cell deformation and surface stress distribution are discussed for three dimensional multiparticle simulations in wall-bounded shear flow. Due to the versatility of finite-element in describing the geometry and deformation of solid particles, this method may be applied to any suspensions of deformable and rigid particles.