The effect of cortical thickness and thread profile dimensions on stress and strain in bone-anchored implants for amputation prostheses

<p>Skeletal attachment of limb prostheses ensures load transfer between the prosthetic leg and the skeleton. For individuals with lower limb amputation, these loads may be of substantial magnitude. To optimize the design of such systems, knowledge about the structural interplay between implant design features, dimensional changes, and material properties of the implant and the surrounding bone is needed. Here, we present the results from a parametric finite element investigation on a generic bone-anchored implant system of screw design, exposed to external loads corresponding to average and high ambulatory loading. Of the investigated parameters, cortical thickness had the largest effect on the stress and strain in the bone-anchored implant and in the cortical bone. 36 % – 44 % reductions in maximum longitudinal stress in the bone-anchored implant was observed as a result of increased cortical thickness from 2 mm to 5 mm. Changes in thread depth had larger effect on the maximum stresses in the fixture and the bone than changes in thread root radius within the evaluated parameter space. Stress reductions in the percutaneous abutment were obtained by autologous transplantation of bone tissue distal to the fixture. Results from this investigation may guide structural design optimization for bone-anchored implant systems for attachment of limb prostheses.</p>

The effect of cortical thickness and thread profile dimensions on stress and strain in bone-anchored implants for amputation prostheses

<p>Skeletal attachment of limb prostheses ensures load transfer between the prosthetic leg and the skeleton. For individuals with lower limb amputation, these loads may be of substantial magnitude. To optimize the design of such systems, knowledge about the structural interplay between implant design features, dimensional changes, and material properties of the implant and the surrounding bone is needed. Here, we present the results from a parametric finite element investigation on a generic bone-anchored implant system of screw design, exposed to external loads corresponding to average and high ambulatory loading. Of the investigated parameters, cortical thickness had the largest effect on the stress and strain in the bone-anchored implant and in the cortical bone. 36 % – 44 % reductions in maximum longitudinal stress in the bone-anchored implant was observed as a result of increased cortical thickness from 2 mm to 5 mm. Changes in thread depth had larger effect on the maximum stresses in the fixture and the bone than changes in thread root radius within the evaluated parameter space. Stress reductions in the percutaneous abutment were obtained by autologous transplantation of bone tissue distal to the fixture. Results from this investigation may guide structural design optimization for bone-anchored implant systems for attachment of limb prostheses.</p>

Thread Couplings Stress Analysis by Radial Basis Functions Mesh Morphing

Traditional analytical methods are approximate and need to be validated when it comes to predict the tensional behavior of thread coupling. Numerical finite element simulations help engineers come up with the optimum design, although the latter depends on the constraints and load conditions of the thread couplings which are often variable during the system functioning. The present work illustrates a new method based on Radial Basis Functions Mesh Morphing formulation to optimize the stress concentration in thread couplings which is subject to variable loads and constraints. In particular, thread root and fillet under-head drawings for metric ISO thread, which are the most commonly used thread connection, are optimized with Radial Basis Functions Mesh Morphing. In metric ISO threaded connection, the root shape and the fillet under the head are circular, and from shape optimization for minimum stress concentration it is well known that the circular shape becomes seldom optimal. The study is carried out to enhance the stress concentration factor with a simple geometric parameterization using two design variables. Radial Basis Functions Mesh Morphing formulation, performed with a simple geometric parameterization, has allowed to obtain a stress reduction of up to 12%; some similarities are found in the optimized designs leading to the proposal of a new standard. The reductions in the stress are achieved by rather simple changes made to the cutting tool.

Fatigue strength of large diameters tension rods with metric cut thread

<p>The present paper deals with the fatigue strength of large diameters tension rods with metric, cut thread of S460N steel grade. In total 36 fatigue tests equally categorised to 4 experimental series with two varying parameters (i) size diameter, M68 and M100, and (ii) surface treatment, hot-dip galvanized or as-rolled, were performed by the Institute of Structural Design at the Material Testing Institute of the University of Stuttgart. The tests conducted herein for rods of metric, cut threads validated the detail category 50 as well as its factor for size effect, while being slightly on the safe side.</p><p>Additionally, one specimen of M100 as-rolled tension rods, equipped with six miniature strain gauges placed on the thread root of the upper tension rod was tested up to 4,8 MN of quasi-static monotonic tension load- ing until complete failure. Strain concentration factors for the thread root of the M100 tension rod were calculated.</p>

Fracture Mechanics Integrity Assessment of Stud Bolts Subjected to Cathodic Protection

Exposure of metallic parts to cathodic protection (CP) in sea water leads to production and diffusion of atomic Hydrogen into the metal matrix. Absorption of atomic Hydrogen into the metal could lead to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). In order to study the influence of stresses related to HE, FEA and Fracture Mechanics (FM) assessments were performed on a stud bolt threaded geometry. Effects of manufacturing tolerances, interface between nut and stud bolt and a defect in the form of a semi-circular crack placed in highest stress location of a thread root were also considered. Investigations of stress profiles when tension or bending are applied in test samples for measurement of HE threshold were also done, aiming at showing gaps on ASTM F1624-12 [1]. Tolerance assessment shows a relative maximum increase of 260% of nominal linearized membrane plus bending (NLMB) stresses regarding the nut runout [2] and for the proprietary nut geometry, such relative increase drops to 126% of NLMB stresses. Highest Hydrogen concentrations could be observed in the neighborhood of the first loaded thread root. FEA of cracked geometry shows that Hydrogen concentration could increase by around 283% around the crack tip, when compared to stud bolt in unloaded condition. Integrity assessment according to API 579-1 [3] or BS 7910 [4] and tests conducted according to ASTM F1624-12 [1] show less conservative results.

FEM Stress Analysis and Leakage Behavior of Pipe-Socket Threaded Joints Subjected to Bending Moment and Internal Pressure

This paper is a report of the studies on the mechanical behaviors and leakage characteristics of pipe-socket threaded joints subjected to bending moment as well as internal pressure by means of experimental tests and finite element simulations. The paper dealt with the 3/4″ and 3″ joints, and the joints for both sizes have two different combinations of thread types in the pipe and socket, i.e. taper-taper thread combination or taper-parallel one, respectively. Experimental bending leak tests showed that the taper-taper joints could retain internal pressure under bending load up to nearly plastic collapse. The taper-parallel joints, however, could hardly keep internal pressure against bending moment even the sealing tape was applied to enhance the sealing performance. Finite element analysis was carried out to simulate those bending tests, especially to clarify the deformation and the stress distribution in the engaged threads in detail. The analysis demonstrated that the sealing performance of the joints highly depend on the contact conditions not only at the thread crest to thread root but also in between flank surfaces. A complicated leak path across the engaged threads under bending moment was identified by the simulation.