A systematic comparison between FEBio and PolyFEM for biomechanical systems

Area of Science:

• Computational Biomechanics
• Finite Element Analysis
• Numerical Methods

Background:

• Traditional finite element software struggles with contact detection in complex biomechanical simulations, often requiring extensive model tuning.
• Existing solvers face limitations in handling inversion- and intersection-free solutions, hindering accurate biomechanical predictions.
• This necessitates a more robust and automated approach for finite element simulations in biomechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate PolyFEM, a novel finite element solver designed for inversion- and intersection-free biomechanical simulations.
• To compare PolyFEM's performance against the established FEBio solver across various simulation scenarios.
• To assess PolyFEM's capability in handling complex contact mechanics and high-energy collisions.

Main Methods:

• Five distinct comparison scenarios were designed to rigorously evaluate PolyFEM against FEBio.
• Simulations included reproducing existing FEBio test cases, verification paper scenarios, biomechanical contact problems, high-energy collisions, and biting/quasi-stance simulations.
• Performance was assessed based on accuracy, simulation failure rates, and the need for manual model tuning.

Main Results:

• PolyFEM successfully replicated all simulations performed using FEBio.
• PolyFEM demonstrated superior performance in high-energy contact simulations, completing scenarios where FEBio failed.
• PolyFEM achieved accurate results without requiring additional model tuning or explicit contact declarations, despite longer simulation times in some cases.

Conclusions:

• PolyFEM provides verified solutions for hyperelastic materials, consistent with FEBio, even in early development stages.
• The solver effectively handles challenging biomechanical problems, outperforming existing solvers in complex contact scenarios.
• PolyFEM holds significant potential to improve the accuracy and realism of future finite element analyses in biomechanics.