Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Porous Substrates. Application to Synovial Joint Analysis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation
Published on: June 2, 2022
C. M. Corvalan1, J. Di Paolo, F. A. Saita
1Grupo Biomecánica Computacional, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos - Facultad de Ingeniería, CC 47, Suc. 3, (3100) Paraná, Argentina.
Abstract:
This work presents computational results for an elastohydrodynamic model with a porous wall. The model - inspired by the cartilage exudation phenomenon arising in living joints - allows the lubricating fluid to be transferred from the porous walls to the flow channel and viceversa. The system is represented through a strongly coupled set of nonlinear equations which involves hydrodynamic lubrication, plane elasticity and continuity in porous media. The solution technique employed is based on the finite element method, Newton iteration and parametric continuation processes. The predictions obtained uncover mechanisms that might be responsible for the extremely low friction coefficients found in synovial joints.
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Journal Bearings
To better understand the concept of journal bearings, consider a rope winch with dry or...
Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface
Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Plane Surface
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies with...

