Finite element analysis (FEA) of femur to predict biomechanical properties and its validation

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary study is to predict the biomechanical properties as strain of the femur using computed tomography medical image-based finite element analysis. Further, the finite element results were compared with the experimental results for validation purpose. The main objective of the study was to establish and validate a finite element model used to analyse biomechanical properties. For this, four sheep femur specimens were used to predict normal strain in x-x direction. Computed tomography scans were taken from each femur sample. Subsequently, an accurate image-based 3D model of each femur specimen was segmented and reconstructed with its material properties. Furthermore, the experimental test was performed at 8° bone inclination in the coronal plane and a compressive load was applied at displacement rate of 0.2 mm/s to the femur head in a vertical downward direction until fracture. Consequently, the numerical results of predicted normal strain were compared with the experimental measured normal strain. The average deviation between finite element and experimental results was found to be −11.11%–20.10% in strains. Hence, it is concluded that the results obtained using finite element analysis are in good agreement with the experimental results.