Mechanical Simulation of Articular Cartilage Based on Experimental Results

Recently, a constituent based cartilage growth finite element model (CGFEM) was developed in order to predict articular cartilage (AC) biomechanical properties before and after growth. Previous research has noted limitations in the CGFEM such as model convergence with growth periods greater than 12 days. The main aims of this work were to address these limitations through (1) implementation of an exact material Jacobian matrix definition using the Jaumann-Kirchhoff (J-K) method and (2) quantification of elastic material parameters based upon research findings of the Cal Poly Cartilage Biomechanics Group (CPGBG). The J-K method was successfully implemented into the CGFEM and exceeded the maximum convergence strains for both the “pushed forward, then differentiated” (PFD) and “differentiated, then pushed forward” (DPF) methods, while maintaining correct material stress responses. Elastic parameters were optimized for confined compression (CC), unconfined compression (UCC), and uniaxial tension (UT) protocols. This work increases the robustness of the CGFEM through the J-K method, as well as defines an accurate starting point for AC growth based on the optimized material parameters.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS in Engineering

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical and General Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2009

Author dc:creator

• Stewart, Kevin Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Scott Hazelwood

• Applied Mechanics
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Biomechanics and Biotransport
• Other Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Identifier

10.15368/theses.2009.107

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.calpoly.edu:theses-1101