NUMERICAL METHODS THAT CAN

BE USED IN BIOMECHANICS
1) Mechanics of Materials Approach
(A) Complex Beam Theory
(i) Straight Beam
(ii) Curved Beam
(iii) Composite Beam
From:Daviddarling.info

NUMERICAL METHODS THAT CAN

BE USED IN BIOMECHANICS
Mechanics of Material Approach (Cont)

NUMERICAL METHODS THAT CAN

BE USED IN BIOMECHANICS
(2) Finite Difference Method

NUMERICAL METHODS THAT CAN

BE USED IN BIOMECHANICS
(2) Finite Difference Method (Contd)
Consider an ordinary differential equation
One of the difference equation method is using:
To approximate the differential equation.
Solution is:

APPLICATION OF FINITE ELEMENT

METHOD TO BIOMECHANICS

Introduction
Re-invented around 1963
Initially applied to engineering structures
Concrete dams
(Civil engineers)

Aircraft structures
(Aeronautical
engineers)

Introduction
FEM is based on

Energy
Method

Method
of
Residuals

Introduction
Energy method
Total potential energy must be stationary
(U + W) = ( ) = 0

Introduction
Residual method
Differential equation governing the problem is
given by A ( ) = 0
Minimise R = A ( * ) - A ( )
is actual solution
* is assumed solution

Introduction
Both methods give us a set of equations
[K]{a} ={f}
Stiffness Matrix

Force Matrix
Displacement Matrix

Introduction - FEM Procedure

Continuum is separated by imaginary lines or
surfaces into a number of finite elements

Finite Elements

Introduction - FEM Procedure

Elements are assumed to be interconnected at a
discrete number of nodal points situated on
their boundaries
Nodal Points

Finite Elements

Displacements at these nodal points will be the basic unkn

Introduction - FEM Procedure

A set of functions is chosen to define uniquely the
state of displacement within each finite element ( U )
in terms of nodal displacements ( a1 , a2 , a3 )

U = Ni ai
i= 1, 3

Finite Element
a2

Nodal Point
y

a3

a1
x

Introduction - FEM Procedure

This displacement function is input into either
energy equations or residual equations to
give us element equilibrium equation
[K]{a} ={f}
Finite Element
Element
Stiffness
Matrix

a2

Nodal Point
y
Element
Element
Displacement Force
Matrix
a1
Matrix

a3
x

Introduction - FEM Procedure

Element equilibrium equations are assembled
taking care of displacement compatibility at the
connecting nodes to give a set of equations that
represents equilibrium of the entire continuum
Nodal Points

Finite Elements

Introduction - FEM Procedure

Solution for displacements are obtained after
substituting boundary conditions in the continuum
equilibrium equations

Nodal Points

Support Points

Finite Elements

Support Points

Introduction
Finite element method used to solve:

Elastic continuum
Heat conduction
Electric & Magnetic potential
Non-linear (Material & Geometric) -plasticity, creep
Vibration
Transient problems
Flow of fluids
Combination of above problems
Fracture mechanics

Introduction
Finite elements:

Truss , Cable and Beam elements

Two & Three solid elements
Axi-symmetric elements
Plate & Shell elements
Spring, Damper & Mass elements
Fluid elements

Application to Spine Biomechanics

Finite Element Mesh of C4-C7

Facet Joints
C4
C5

C5-C6
Graft

C6
C7
Intact

With Graft at C5-C6 Level

von Mises Stress in C4-C5 Annulus

(Flexion)
5 MPa

Anterior

Neutral Graft

6 MPa

Anterior

Kyphotic Graft

Finite Element Mesh of L1-S1

Vertical Displacement Distribution

in L1-S1

Finite Element Mesh of L2-L5

With 25% Translational
Spondylolisthesis

Vertical Displacement Distribution

in L2-L5 Under Flexion Moment
(25% translational spondylolisthesis)

Application to Knee Implant

Biomechanics

Finite Element Mesh to Represent

Tibial Insert & Femoral Component

Contact Compressive Stress

Motion of Femoral Implant with respect to UHMWPE Knee Insert

Application to Femoral Implant

Biomechanics

Finite Element Mesh of an Intact

Femur

Distribution of SIGMA-ZZ in an
intact femur

Finite Element Mesh of a Femur with

Implant

SIGMA-ZZ in a Femur With Implant

Implant fixed with cement layer in a

femur

Von Misses stress in cement layer

SIGMA-ZZ in cortical bone in a femur with

implant attached using cement

Advantage of using FEM

Irregular complex geometry can be modeled
Effect of large number of variables in a problem can
be easily analysed
Multiple phase problems can be modeled
Effect of various surgical techniques can be
compared using appropriate FE models
Both static and time dependent problems can be
modeled
Solution to certain problems that cannot be (or
difficult) obtained otherwise can be solved by FEM