Experimental validation of a finite element model of a composite tibia

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Composite bones serve as synthetic models for human bone biomechanics.
• Finite element (FE) models of composite bone are crucial for evaluating orthopedic implant designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and validate a finite element (FE) model of a composite tibia.
• To assess the model's accuracy against experimental data for simulating bone mechanical behavior.

Main Methods:

• Attached 17 strain rosettes to a composite tibia and measured surface strains/displacements under 13 loading conditions.
• Developed two FE models using CT scans, varying mesh and material properties.
• Validated models against experimental results using regression analysis.

Main Results:

• Experimental strain measurements demonstrated high repeatability.
• The validated FE model, using specific isotropic and transversely isotropic material properties, accurately simulated the composite tibia's mechanical behavior.
• Regression analysis showed a slope of 0.999, intercept of -6.24 microstrain, and R2 of 0.962 for axial loads.

Conclusions:

• The developed FE model provides an acceptable accuracy for simulating composite tibia mechanical behavior.
• This validated model can be utilized for the evaluation of novel joint prostheses and fixation devices.