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A theoretical and photoelastic contact stress analysis relevant to orthopaedic knee prostheses
Author(s) -
Whelan M. P.,
Little E. G.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
strain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.477
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1475-1305
pISSN - 0039-2103
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1305.1992.tb00794.x
Subject(s) - photoelasticity , plateau (mathematics) , contact mechanics , stress (linguistics) , materials science , orthodontics , structural engineering , contact area , contact theory , composite material , engineering , forensic engineering , mathematics , medicine , mathematical analysis , finite element method , solid mechanics , linguistics , philosophy
This study is based on a theoretical and photoelastic static contact stress analysis, relevant to the design of the plastic tibial plateau in an orthopaedic knee prosthesis. It involves the review of existing theoretical analyses concerned with the contact mechanics of layered elastic systems and, where possible, the validation of any relevant findings using two dimensional photoelasticity. Significant findings include the identification of a general minimum recommendable design thickness for the plastic tibial plateau, the endorsement of using the Hertzian contact theory to predict contact stress levels in the tibial plateau of certain knee implants and the slight improvement in contact conditions in the plastic when the plateau is perfectly bonded to its supporting metal tray.