Veryst Engineering® - Areas of Expertise: Finite Element Modeling

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Advanced Material Models for Finite Element Simulations

In many finite element simulations of polymer components the most challenging step is the specification of an appropriate material model that captures the experimentally observed non-linear viscoplastic response of the material. Veryst has developed a library of user-material models that accurately captures the response of elastomers, biomaterials, thermoplastics, and thermosets. These material models can be added to commercial finite element software as an external library and enables significantly more accurate simulations and predictions of real materials than what is possible with built-in material models.

The following figure shows an example of the accuracy of one of these user-material models. The figure compares the experimentally determined cyclic loading response of UHMWPE with predictions from the Three Network Model, which is specifically developed for this class of materials.

Accuracy of User-Material Models

Finite Element Simulation of a Total Knee Replacement Component

Many medical devices, such as artificial discs and hip implants, contain components made from UHMWPE. Like all thermoplastics, this material can undergo yielding and plastic flow, it can also be degraded due to wear and fatigue loading. These characteristics of the material response are important for the function and lifetime of the medical device.

When developing a new device design it is useful to perform both experiments and a finite element study. By using an advanced material model it is possible to accurately evaluate the performance of new designs using a computer model. This approach provides a cost effective way to improve a product and reduce the time to market introduction.

The following figure shows an example of a 3D simulation of a total knee replacement component using the Three-Network constitutive model.

Total Knee Replacement