Flexure and Torsion of Chick Embryo

A chick embryo undergoes flexion and torsion which are two significant shape-changing events that occur during embryonic development. Such events are observed to be essential for the proper development of the body and organs. This project aims to simulate the growth of the chick embryo by using Finite Element Analysis. Specifically, this study observes how the straight body bends when internal growth is in effect. While working under the student license to model the bending of the chick embryo, thermal expansion plays a main role in the growth simulation. The model for this project is 2D and deformable along with some properties of silicon rubber. Moreover, a temperature field is applied to various sections of the model to produce such expansion and contraction as well as observe how the model would bend. The results from the simulation have shown that expansion or contraction on a specific section drives the entire body to bend to a fetal position.