Mechanical properties of Acropora cervicornis aragonite skeleton by using multiscale models based on micro-CT data

Abstract

Corals, crucial for ocean ecosystems, face threats such as ocean acidification from global warming and pollution, which weaken their skeletons. This study focuses on Acropora cervicornis, known for its hard but fragile structure, requiring strength and flexibility to withstand the forces from climate-driven atmospheric events. An experiment using uniaxial mechanical loading from the initial stage to complete failure at a very low strain rate (1.2821 × 10−5 s−1) was conducted to ascertain the mechanical properties of corals. The geometric properties and Young's modulus were analysed based on various levels of micro-architectural details from micro-CT data, with resolution values influencing the measurements. The highest resolution model showed a Young's modulus approaching 22.265 GPa and porosity at 40.448%. Calibration of finite element models incorporating micro-architectural details enabled a precise comparison of parameter effects and more accurate results, highlighting the significance of resolution in modelling coral mechanical properties.