Finite Element Analysis of Fixed Medial Malleolar Fractures

Author(s):  
Ruchi D. Chande ◽  
John R. Owen ◽  
Robert S. Adelaar ◽  
Jennifer S. Wayne

The ankle joint, comprised of the distal ends of the tibia and fibula as well as talus, is key in permitting movement of the foot and restricting excessive motion during weight-bearing activities. Medial ankle injury occurs as a result of pronation-abduction or pronation-external rotation loading scenarios in which avulsion of the medial malleolus or rupture of the deltoid ligament can result if the force is sufficient [1]. If left untreated, the joint may experience more severe conditions like osteoarthritis [2]. To avoid such consequences, medial ankle injuries — specifically bony injuries — are treated with open reduction and internal fixation via the use of plates, screws, wires, or some combination thereof [1, 3–4]. In this investigation, the mechanical performance of two such devices was compared by creating a 3-dimensional model of an earlier cadaveric study [5], validating the model against the cadaveric data via finite element analysis (FEA), and comparing regions of high stress to regions of experimental failure.

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. Murphy ◽  
Linda C. Shackelford ◽  
Beth A. Todd ◽  
James F. Cuttino

Abstract During long duration space flight, astronauts must exercise to prevent bone demineralization. Exercises are used as countermeasures to the bone mineral loss. The effectiveness of the countermeasures is closely related to the mechanical stress developed during the exercises. A finite element model of the human femur was developed to determine the stress distribution during weight bearing. The model was developed using serial, transverse magnetic resonance images. The finite element analysis performed on the femur model showed an area of high stress in the femoral neck of approximately 1,200 psi. The highest stress seen in the model was approximately 2,000 psi. This information will then be used to evaluate the proposed exercises to be used as countermeasures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Takahashi ◽  
Yoshihiro Noyama ◽  
Tsuyoshi Asano ◽  
Tomohiro Shimizu ◽  
Tohru Irie ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Internal fixation is recommended for treating Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures. Although several fixation procedures have been developed with high fixation stability and union rates, long-term weight-bearing constructs are still lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability of a double-plate procedure using reversed contralateral locking compression-distal femoral plates for fixation of Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures under full weight-bearing. Methods Single- and double-plate fixation procedures for locking compression-distal femoral plates were analysed under an axial load of 1,500 N by finite element analysis and biomechanical loading tests. A vertical loading test was performed to the prosthetic head, and the displacements and strains were calculated based on load-displacement and load-strain curves generated by the static compression tests. Results The finite element analysis revealed that double-plate fixation significantly reduced stress concentration at the lateral plate place on the fracture site. Under full weight-bearing, the maximum von Mises stress in the lateral plate was 268 MPa. On the other hand, the maximum stress in the single-plating method occurred at the defect level of the femur with a maximum stress value of 1,303 MPa. The principal strains of single- and double-plate fixation were 0.63 % and 0.058 %, respectively. Consistently, in the axial loading test, the strain values at a 1,500 N loading of the single- and double-plate fixation methods were 1,274.60 ± 11.53 and 317.33 ± 8.03 (× 10− 6), respectively. Conclusions The present study suggests that dual-plate fixation with reversed locking compression-distal femoral plates may be an excellent treatment procedure for patients with Vancouver B1 fractures, allowing for full weight-bearing in the early postoperative period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2101 (1) ◽  
pp. 012059
Author(s):  
Z J Yang ◽  
X Li ◽  
G C Li ◽  
S C Peng

Abstract Hollow concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) member is mainly adopted in power transmission and transformation structures, but when it is used in the superstructure with complex stress, the hollow CFST member has a low bearing capacity and is prone to brittle failure. To improve the mechanical performance of hollow CFST members, a new type of reinforced hollow high strength concrete-filled square steel tube (RHCFSST) was proposed, and its axial compression performance was researched. 18 finite element analysis (FEA) models of axially loaded RHCFSST stub columns were established through FEA software ABAQUS. The whole stress process of composite columns was studied, and parametric studies were carried out to analyze the mechanical performance of the member. Parameters of the steel strength, steel ratio, deformed bar and sandwich concrete strength were varied. Based on the simulation results, the stress process of members can be divided into four stages: elastic stage, elastoplastic stage, descending stage and gentle stage. With the increase of steel strength, steel ratio, the strength of sandwich concrete and the addition of deformed bars, the ultimate bearing capacity of members also increases. Additionally, the increment of those parameters will improve the ductility of the member, except for the sandwich concrete strength.


Author(s):  
Phong Phan ◽  
Anh Vo ◽  
Amirhamed Bakhtiarydavijani ◽  
Reuben Burch ◽  
Brian K. Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Computational approaches, especially Finite Element Analysis (FEA), have been rapidly growing in both academia and industry during the last few decades. FEA serves as a powerful and efficient approach for simulating real-life experiments, including industrial product development, machine design, and biomedical research, particularly in biomechanics and biomaterials. Accordingly, FEA has been a "go-to" high biofidelic software tool to simulate and quantify the biomechanics of the foot-ankle complex, as well as to predict the risk of foot and ankle injuries, which are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries among physically active individuals. This paper provides a review of the in silico FEA of the foot-ankle complex. First, a brief history of computational modeling methods and Finite Element (FE) simulations for foot-ankle models is introduced. Second, a general approach to build a FE foot and ankle model is presented, including a detailed procedure to accurately construct, calibrate, verify, and validate a FE model in its appropriate simulation environment. Third, current applications, as well as future improvements of the foot and ankle FE models, especially in the biomedical field, are discussed. Lastly, a conclusion is made on the efficiency and development of FEA as a computational approach in investigating the biomechanics of the foot-ankle complex. Overall, this review integrates insightful information for biomedical engineers, medical professionals, and researchers to conduct more accurate research on the foot-ankle FE models in the future.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3444
Author(s):  
Avram Manea ◽  
Grigore Baciut ◽  
Mihaela Baciut ◽  
Dumitru Pop ◽  
Dan Sorin Comsa ◽  
...  

Background: Once inserted and osseointegrated, dental implants become ankylosed, which makes them immobile with respect to the alveolar bone. The present paper describes the development of a new and original implant design which replicates the 3D physiological mobility of natural teeth. The first phase of the test followed the resistance of the implant to mechanical stress as well as the behavior of the surrounding bone. Modifications to the design were made after the first set of results. In the second stage, mechanical tests in conjunction with finite element analysis were performed to test the improved implant design. Methods: In order to test the new concept, 6 titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) implants were produced (milling). The implants were fitted into the dynamic testing device. The initial mobility was measured for each implant as well as their mobility after several test cycles. In the second stage, 10 implants with the modified design were produced. The testing protocol included mechanical testing and finite element analysis. Results: The initial testing protocol was applied almost entirely successfully. Premature fracturing of some implants and fitting blocks occurred and the testing protocol was readjusted. The issues in the initial test helped design the final testing protocol and the new implants with improved mechanical performance. Conclusion: The new prototype proved the efficiency of the concept. The initial tests pointed out the need for design improvement and the following tests validated the concept.


Author(s):  
Weijie Jiang ◽  
Jianping Zhao ◽  
Dingyue Chen

A tensile test of buried PE pipe is designed to test the mechanical performance. Then the constitutive model for the PE pipe can be established. The limit load of the PE pipe with local thinning defect can be studied with the method of combining the orthogonal design of experiment and finite element analysis. Then the factors of local thinning defect pipe limit load factors can be analyzed. The results show that the depth of the defect has a great effect on the limit load (internal pressure and bending moment) of PE pipe. The effects that the axial length of the defect and the circumferential length of the defect have on the limit load are not significant.


Author(s):  
G. B. Sinclair ◽  
N. G. Comier ◽  
J. H. Griffin ◽  
G. Meda

The stress analysis of dovetail attachments presents some challenges. These challenges stem from the high stress gradients near the edges of contact and from the nonlinearities attending conforming contact with friction. To meet these challenges with a finite element analysis, refined grids are needed with mesh sizes near the edges of contact of the order of one percent of the local radii of curvature there. A submodeling procedure is described which can provide grids of sufficient resolution in return for moderate computational effort. This procedure furnishes peak stresses near contact edges which are converging on a sequence of three submodel grids, and which typically do converge to within about five percent.


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