A Finite Element Model Technique to Determine the Mechanical Response of a Lumbar Spine Segment Under Complex Loads

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Tsouknidas ◽  
Nikoalos Michailidis ◽  
Savvas Savvakis ◽  
Kleovoulos Anagnostidis ◽  
Konstantinos-Dionysios Bouzakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Complex Loading ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Experimental Values ◽  
Spine Segment

This study presents a CT-based finite element model of the lumbar spine taking into account all function-related boundary conditions, such as anisotropy of mechanical properties, ligaments, contact elements, mesh size, etc. Through advanced mesh generation and employment of compound elements, the developed model is capable of assessing the mechanical response of the examined spine segment for complex loading conditions, thus providing valuable insight on stress development within the model and allowing the prediction of critical loading scenarios. The model was validated through a comparison of the calculated force-induced inclination/deformation and a correlation of these data to experimental values. The mechanical response of the examined functional spine segment was evaluated, and the effect of the loading scenario determined for both vertebral bodies as well as the connecting intervertebral disc.

Biomechanical Effect of Lumbar Disc Degeneration Under Flexion/Extension: A Finite Element Model Study

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lissette M. Ruberté ◽  
Raghu Natarajan ◽  
Gunnar B. J. Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Adjacent Segment ◽  
Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽  
Flexion Extension

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a progressive pathological condition observed in 60 to 80% of the population [1]. It involves changes in both the biochemistry and morphology of the intervertebral disc and is associated with chronic low back pain, sciatica and adult scoliosis [2,3]. The most accepted theory of the effects of DDD on the kinematics of the spine is that proposed by Kirkaldy-Willis and Farfan which states that the condition initiates as a temporary dysfunction, followed by instability and then re-stabilization as the disease progresses [4]. Although there is no clear relationship between disc degeneration and the mechanical behavior of the lumbar spine, abnormal motion patterns either in the form of increased motion or erratic motion have been reported from studies on human cadaveric motion segments [5,6]. To date however no study has looked at how disc degeneration affects the adjacent segment mechanics. IN vivo testing is difficult for these purposes given that specimens are generally obtained from people at the later stages of life and consequently often display multiple pathologies. A finite element model is a viable alternative to study the mechanics of the segments adjacent to the diseased disc. It is hypothesized that moderate degeneration at one level will alter the kinematics of the whole lumbar spine.

Finite Element Modeling of Selective Laser Melting 316L Stainless Steel Parts for Evaluating the Mechanical Properties

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arman Ahmadi ◽  
Narges Shayesteh Moghaddam ◽  
Mohammad Elahinia ◽  
Haluk E. Karaca ◽  
Reza Mirzaeifar
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Polycrystalline Materials ◽  
Microstructural Properties ◽  
Laser Melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing technique in which complex parts can be fabricated directly by melting layers of powder from a CAD model. SLM has a wide range of application in biomedicine and other engineering areas and it has a series of advantages over traditional processing techniques. A large number of variables including laser power, scanning speed, scanning line spacing, layer thickness, material based input parameters, etc. have a considerable effect on SLM process materials. The interaction between these parameters is not completely studied. Limited studies on balling effect in SLM, densifications under different processing conditions, and laser re-melting, have been conducted that involved microstructural investigation. Grain boundaries are amongst the most important microstructural properties in polycrystalline materials with a significant effect on the fracture and plastic deformation. In SLM samples, in addition to the grain boundaries, the microstructure has another set of connecting surfaces between the melt pools. In this study, a computational framework is developed to model the mechanical response of SLM processed materials by considering both the grain boundaries and melt pool boundaries in the material. To this end, a 3D finite element model is developed to investigate the effect of various microstructural properties including the grains size, melt pools size, and pool connectivity on the macroscopic mechanical response of the SLM manufactured materials. A conventional microstructural model for studying polycrystalline materials is modified to incorporate the effect of connecting melt pools beside the grain boundaries. In this model, individual melt pools are approximated as overlapped cylinders each containing several grains and grain boundaries, which are modeled to be attached together by the cohesive zone method. This method has been used in modeling adhesives, bonded interfaces, gaskets, and rock fracture. A traction-separation description of the interface is used as the constitutive response of this model. Anisotropic elasticity and crystal plasticity are used as constitutive laws for the material inside the grains. For the experimental verification, stainless steel 316L flat dog bone samples are fabricated by SLM and tested in tension. During fabrication, the power of laser is constant, and the scan speed is changed to study the effect of fabrication parameters on the mechanical properties of the parts and to compare the result with the finite element model.

A finite element model for predicting the biomechanical behaviour of the human lumbar spine

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Pitzen ◽  
Fred Geisler ◽  
Dieter Matthis ◽  
Hans Müller-Storz ◽  
Dragos Barbier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Human Lumbar Spine

Mechanical response of a panel section with a hexagonally tessellated stiffener grid

2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (8) ◽  
pp. 1402-1414
Author(s):  
M Bouazizi ◽  
T Lazghab ◽  
M Soula
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Element Model ◽  
External Loading ◽  
Original Structure ◽  
Hexagonal Grid ◽  
Aircraft Fuselage ◽  
Stiffened Shells ◽  
Analytical Expressions

Stringers are stiffening members of pressurized aircraft fuselage. They provide support to the fuselage’s skin. A new stringer grid concept is proposed for conventional aircraft fuselage. Optimization is used to find the hexagonal grid that best replaces the original while keeping the same total stringer length. A finite element model is built to analyze the optimal hexagonal grid stiffened structure and compare it with the original orthogonally stiffened structure in terms of eigenfrequencies and static response to external loading. The finite element model is validated through Flugge’s analytical expressions for stiffened shells. Results show that the hexagonal grid stiffened structure yields higher eigenfrequencies with stresses and displacements comparable with that of the original structure.

scholarly journals Biomechanics Of Human Lumbar Spine (L3 To L5) With Degenerative Disc Disease Using Finite Element Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 4609-4614
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Finite Element Model ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Human Spine ◽  
Human Lumbar Spine ◽  
Normal Human

Human spine is one of the complex structure of the human body. It provides the link between upper and lower extremities of the human body. It is estimated that at least 30% of people in the middle age group from thirty to fifty years have some degree of disc degeneration. Disc degeneration disease can affect the quality of life and in certain individual it can cause severe chronic pain if left untreated. The low back pain associated with lumbar disc degeneration is usually generated from two causes which are abnormal motion instability and inflammation. Abnormal motion instability occurs when the annulus fibrosus are worn down and cannot absorb stress on the human spine effectively resulting in changes in movements along the vertebral segment. To understand lumbar disc problem, a thorough knowledge of the biomechanics of the normal human lumbar spine and a disc degenerated lumbar spine is of great importance. In this study, Computed tomography image of a 33 year old male is used. A three dimensional (3D) human lumbar spine (L3 to L5) is created and validated with literature. The finite element model was modified to degenerated disc and studied the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Comparison of the biomechanics of normal human lumbar spine is done with the human lumbar spine with disc degeneration for different range of motion and different loads. The result shows that the pressure generated on degenerated disc is greater than normal disc. This work can be implemented and used for designing implants and also for intervertebral disc related analysis

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