Title: Subject-specific finite element model of knee: experimental validation using composite and bovine specimens

Authors: Jena L. Dressler, Anthony G. Au, Jason P. Carey, A. Amirfazli

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada

Abstract: This work describes the experimental validation of lower limb finite element models using a composite femur, tibia and bovine tibia. Experimental and predicted equivalent strains and principal strain magnitudes and directions were compared to provide all the necessary information for validation studies. Inaccurate geometry, loading conditions and material properties are frequent errors occurring in validation studies; a sensitivity analysis was done to investigate how the latter two affect the validation. Results were most affected when the directions of the loads were not correctly implemented due to slight misalignment between test apparatus loading axis and the vertical axis in the FE environment.

Keywords: finite element method; FEM; lower limb modelling; experimental validation; strain; sensitivity analysis; biomechanics; subject-specific computational model; composite knee specimen; bovine knee specimen; composite femur; tibia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJECB.2009.029190

International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.146 - 171

Published online: 09 Nov 2009 *

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