Ismoyo Haryanto, Riondityo Soni Bagastomo, Rifky Ismail, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Tezara Cionita

Computational Assessment of Orthopedic Implant Durability Using Finite Element Analysis

Introduction

Computational assessment of orthopedic implant durability using finite element analysis. Computational FEA assesses orthopedic implant durability & mechanical performance of SS 316L reconstruction plates. Predicts fatigue life, optimizing designs for enhanced patient safety with high accuracy.

Abstract

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) provides a rapid and cost-effective method to evaluate orthopedic implants. This research investigates the mechanical performance and long-term durability of a seven-hole SS 316L Basic Fragment Set (BFS) reconstruction plate designed for pelvic fractures. Adhering to ASTM standards, material properties were defined via tensile testing (ASTM E8), while static and fatigue analyses were performed using a displacement control method in a four-point bending test setup in SOLIDWORKS 2024 (ASTM F382). The static analysis predicted failure from plastic deformation at a force of 367 N, with a maximum stress of 621.92 MPa. The fatigue simulation predicted a lifespan of 483,754 cycles. To validate the simulation, these computational results were compared to experimental data, demonstrating high accuracy with deviations of only 3.34% for maximum force and 1.19% for fatigue life. These findings confirm that FEA is a highly reliable tool for predicting mechanical performance, enabling the orthopedic industry to optimize implant designs, enhance patient safety, and improve production efficiency.

Review

This paper presents a valuable computational assessment of orthopedic implant durability, focusing on a seven-hole SS 316L reconstruction plate for pelvic fractures. The authors effectively demonstrate Finite Element Analysis (FEA) as a rapid and cost-effective methodology for evaluating mechanical performance and long-term durability. A key strength of this research lies in its rigorous approach, employing ASTM standards for material characterization (ASTM E8) and simulating testing conditions (ASTM F382). The reported high accuracy of the computational results, with remarkably low deviations of 3.34% for maximum force and 1.19% for fatigue life when compared to experimental data, strongly supports the reliability of FEA in this application, making a significant contribution to validating computational tools in orthopedic design. The methodology details the use of SOLIDWORKS 2024 for both static and fatigue analyses under a displacement control method in a four-point bending setup. The predicted failure from plastic deformation at 367 N (621.92 MPa maximum stress) and a fatigue lifespan of 483,754 cycles provide concrete data points for design considerations. While the application of ASTM F382 for the *setup* is clear for static analysis, further clarification would be beneficial regarding the specific ASTM standard guiding the computational *fatigue* analysis itself, especially given that F382 primarily addresses static bending. Additionally, elaborating on the choice of a displacement-controlled method for fatigue simulation, versus more common load-controlled approaches for implant durability, could provide useful context for the reader. Nevertheless, the compelling validation against experimental data underscores the robustness of the chosen approach. In conclusion, this research convincingly confirms the utility of FEA as a highly reliable predictive tool for orthopedic implant design. The findings have direct practical implications, enabling the orthopedic industry to optimize implant designs, enhance patient safety through better prediction of performance limits, and improve production efficiency by reducing the need for extensive physical prototyping. Future work could build upon this foundation by exploring more complex, physiologically relevant loading scenarios beyond four-point bending, incorporating patient-specific anatomical variations, or investigating the influence of bone-implant interface mechanics on overall durability to further bridge the gap between benchtop testing and clinical reality.

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