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Stable partial debonding of the cement interfaces indicated by a finite element model of a total hip prosthesis
Author(s) -
Lu Zhen,
Ebramzadeh Edward,
McKellop Harry,
Sarmiento Augusto
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100140211
Subject(s) - cement , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , finite element method , composite material , stress (linguistics) , bone cement , structural engineering , linguistics , philosophy , engineering
A simplified three‐dimensional finite element model of the femoral component of a cemented total hip prosthesis was used to investigate whether partial debonding at the stem‐cement or bone‐cement interfaces propagates in a stable or unstable manner, and to assess the resultant variation of the stresses within the cement layer. The likelihood of unstable debonding under tensile failure mode was assessed both by a conventional monotonic strength criterion and by a fracture mechanics approach that took into account debonding due to fatigue loading. The model predicted that partial debonding at the cement interfaces would be stable and would not precipitate complete debonding. Among the various bonding conditions that were investigated, the maximum tensile stress within the cement layer was least with a small amount of debonding rather than with complete bonding. These results were consistent with clinical observations of nonprogressive or slowly progressive separation at cement interfaces in cemented femoral components that were otherwise well functioning and asymptomatic.