ABSTRACT
Given that many biological tissues are reinforced by a collagen network, it is appropriate to emphasize their mechanical anisotropy. Since the collagen fiber response differs much according to the compressive or tensile nature of the load, this aspect, coined conewise mechanical response, is worth to be scrutinized. The mathematical structure which is appropriate to define the anisotropic mechanical and transport properties of materials is the group. An alternative, particular and more compact, form of anisotropic elasticity based on a second order fabric tensor has been proposed by Valanis and Zysset and Curnier for the analysis of damage in metals and biomaterials. Therefore, the apparent mechanical properties of cartilage are bound to be anisotropic and distinct in extension and contraction.
