Affiliations: [a] IVAX Pharmaceuticals, Waterford Industrial Estate, Waterford, Ireland | [b] Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg, Germany | [c] Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland | [d] Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands | [e] Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: G.J. Verkerke, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box 196, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: g.j.verkerke@med.umcg.nl.
Abstract: For simple constructions a mechanical analysis to determine internal stresses and deformation is possible using theoretical formulas. However, for complex constructions, like joint prostheses, this is not possible. Numerical simulation of internal stresses and deformations offers a solution for these constructions. The so-called Finite Element Analysis divides the complex structure in simple ones (elements), applies the mechanical formulas and adds the effect on each element to predict the behaviour of the complex contruction.
Keywords: Finite Element Analysis, mechanics, differential equation, node, stiffness matrix
