scholarly journals Are Suprapectineal Quadrilateral Surface Buttressing Plates Performances Superior to Traditional Fixation? A Finite Element Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 858
Author(s):  
Mara Terzini ◽  
Andrea Di Pietro ◽  
Alessandro Aprato ◽  
Stefano Artiaco ◽  
Alessandro Massè ◽  
...  

Acetabular fractures have a high impact on patient’s quality of life, and because acetabular fractures are high energy injuries, they often co-occur with other pathologies such as damage to cartilage that could increase related morbidity; thus, it appears of primary importance developing reliable treatments for this disease. This work aims at the evaluation of the biomechanical performances of non-conservative treatments of acetabular fractures through a finite element approach. Two pelvic plates models (the standard suprapectineal plate—SPP, and a suprapectineal quadrilateral surface buttressing plate—SQBP) were analyzed when implanted on transverse or T-shaped fractures. The plates geometries were adapted to the specific hemipelvis, mimicking the bending action that the surgeon performs on the plate intraoperatively. Implemented models were tested in a single leg stance condition. The obtained results show that using the SQBP plate in transverse and T-shaped acetabular fractures generates lower bone stress if compared to the SPP plate. Interfragmentary movement analysis shows that the SQBP plate guarantees greater stability in transverse fractures. In conclusion, the SQBP plate seems worthy of further clinical analysis, having resulted as a promising option in the treatment of transverse and T-shaped acetabular fractures, able to reduce bone stress values and to get performances comparable, and in some cases superior, to traditional fixation.

Author(s):  
Nikhil Joshi ◽  
Pritha Ghosh ◽  
Jonathan Brewer ◽  
Lawrence Matta

Abstract API RP 1102 provides a method to calculate stresses in buried pipelines due to surface loads resulting from the encroachment of roads and railroads. The API RP 1102 approach is commonly used in the industry, and widely available software allows for quick and easy implementation. However, the approach has several limitations on when it can be used, one of which is that it is limited to pipelines crossing as near to 90° (perpendicular crossing) as practicable. In no case can the crossing be less than 30° . In this paper, the stresses in the buried pipeline under standard highway vehicular loading calculated using the API RP 1102 method are compared with the results of two other methods; an analytical method that accounts for longitudinal and circumferential through wall bending effects, and the finite element method. The benefit of the alternate analytical method is that it is not subject to the limitations of API RP 1102 on crossing alignment or depth. However, this method is still subject to the limitation that the pipeline is straight and at a uniform depth. The fact that it is analytical in nature allows for rapid assessment of a number of pipes and load configurations. The finite element analysis using a 3D soil box approach offers the greatest flexibility in that pipes with bends or appurtenances can be assessed. However, this approach is time consuming and difficult to apply to multiple loading scenarios. Pipeline crossings between 0° (parallel) and 90° (perpendicular) are evaluated in the assessment reported here, even though these are beyond the scope of API RP 1102. A comparison across the three methods will provide a means to evaluate the level of conservatism, if any, in the API RP 1102 calculation for crossing between 30° and 90° . It also provides a rationale to evaluate whether the API RP 1102 calculation can potentially be extended for 0° (parallel) crossings.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHAIANE WIGGERS DE SOUZA ◽  
MOONHEE NAM ◽  
HYONNY KIM

Large test structures, common in the aerospace industry, offer a challenge to model, manufacture and test, with high cost associated with computational as well as materials, specimen fabrication, test planning/setup, and instrumentation resources. In this paper, a methodology is presented to demonstrate use of a smaller-sized substructure to produce equivalent response to the original, larger structure. The structure under study is a quarter barrel of typical commercial aircraft fuselage section made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), initially consisting of two circumferential structural members (C-frames and shear ties), and 12 stringers cocured to the skin. Through a series of finite element analyses and a modified specimen design, a substructure representing the quarter barrel was validated for loading conditions generated by high energy wide area blunt impacts (HEWABI) which are potentially caused by accidental contact from moving ground service equipment (GSE). The substructure is made of one circumferential member (C-frame and shear tie), and 6 stringers co-cured to skin and is shown to have similar stiffness and stresses in the region of interest. Finite element analysis (FEA) with progressive damage analysis demonstrates the equivalent response between the substructure and full quarter barrel. This methodology can be used in a wide range of applications, as long as the loading area is distant enough from the modified structure end and the correct boundary conditions/fixtures are defined to represent the omitted portions of the structure of interest.


2012 ◽  
Vol 201-202 ◽  
pp. 741-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Ning Hou ◽  
Jun Wu ◽  
Qing Wang ◽  
Hong Gen Tian ◽  
Nan Chao ◽  
...  

A finite element approach based on Ansys is developed to simulate stress intensity distribution in a three dimensional model of coupling clamp joint, which includes ferrules, pipe caps and bolts. The characteristics of stress intensity distributions of coupling clamp joint under strength pressure loading have been studied by means of the non-linear finite element method. The FE model can also predict the clamp quality and tolerances to be expected under different process conditions and define the most effective process parameters to influence the tolerances. The study could give us a better understanding on the mechanism and basis for optimization design of the coupling clamp joint.


Author(s):  
Seyed Hamid Reza Sanei ◽  
Randall Doles

Abstract The aim of this study is to present a representative volume element (RVE) for nanocomposites with different microstructural features using a stochastic finite element approach. To that end, computer-simulated microstructures of nanocomposites were generated to include a variety of uncertainty present in geometry, orientation, and distribution of carbon nanotubes. Microstructures were converted into finite element models based on an image-based approach for the determination of elastic properties. For each microstructure type, 50 realizations of synthetic microstructures were generated to capture the variability as well as the average values. Computer-simulated microstructures were generated at different length scales to determine the change in mechanical properties as a function of length scale. A representative volume element is defined at a length scale beyond which no change in variability is observed. The results show that there is no universal RVE applicable to all properties and microstructures; however, the RVE size is highly dependent on microstructural features. Microstructures with agglomeration tend to require larger RVE. Similarly, random microstructures require larger RVE when compared with aligned microstructures.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. B. Shim ◽  
J. Böshme ◽  
P. Vaitl ◽  
C. Josten ◽  
I. A. Anderson

Posterior wall fracture is one of the most common fracture types of the acetabulum and a conventional approach is to perform open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screws. Percutaneous screw fixations, on the other hand, have recently gained attention due to their benefits such as less exposure and minimization of blood loss. However their biomechanical stability, especially in terms interfragmentary movement, has not been investigated thoroughly. The aims of this study are twofold: (1) to measure the interfragmentary movements in the conventional open approach with plate fixations and the percutaneous screw fixations in the acetabular fractures and compare them; and (2) to develop and validate a fast and efficient way of predicting the interfragmentary movement in percutaneous fixation of posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum using a 3D finite element (FE) model of the pelvis. Our results indicate that in single fragment fractures of the posterior wall of the acetabulum, plate fixations give superior stability to screw fixations. However screw fixations also give reasonable stability as the average gap between fragment and the bone remained less than 1 mm when the maximum load was applied. Our finite element model predicted the stability of screw fixation with good accuracy. Moreover, when the screw positions were optimized, the stability predicted by our FE model was comparable to the stability obtained by plate fixations. Our study has shown that FE modeling can be useful in examining biomechanical stability of osteosynthesis and can potentially be used in surgical planning of osteosynthesis.


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