Developing a Biomechanical Testing Setup of the Pelvis-Part I: Computational Design of Experiments.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• The biomechanics of the human pelvis and its implants remain a complex challenge.
• Current biomechanical testing setups lack accepted clinical relevance for pelvis and implant evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically design a biomechanical test stand for the human pelvis.
• To emulate physiological gait loading conditions accurately.
• To validate the designed test stand for experimental use.

Main Methods:

• Utilized computational experiment design to develop the test stand.
• Reduced 57 muscle and joint forces to four actuators (2 hip joint, 2 muscle forces).
• Applied forces in a bilateral reciprocating manner with a maximum magnitude of 2.3 kN.

Main Results:

• The stress distribution in the numerical model of the test stand closely matched the intact pelvis model.
• Identical stress states were observed at the right arcuate line.
• Minor deviations (2-20%) in stress were noted at the superior rami.

Conclusions:

• The developed biomechanical testing setup provides a more realistic emulation of clinical pelvic loading.
• The numerically designed test stand is validated as suitable for experimental pelvis testing.
• This study (Part I) lays the groundwork for experimental validation discussed in Part II.