An augmented Lagrangian finite element formulation for three-dimensional contact of biphasic tissues

• Published in: Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering 2012-11, Vol.17 (11), p.1206-1216
• Main Authors: Guo, Hongqiang, Spilker, Robert L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1025-5842; 1476-8259
• DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2012.739166

Biphasic contact analysis is essential to obtain a complete understanding of soft tissue biomechanics, and the importance of physiological structure on the joint biomechanics has long been recognized; however, up to date, there is no successful developments of biphasic finite element contact analysis for 3D geometries of physiological joints. The aim of this study is to develop a finite element formulation for biphasic contact of 3D physiological joints. The augmented Lagrangian method was used to enforce the continuity of contact traction and fluid pressure across the contact interface. The biphasic contact method was implemented in the commercial software COMSOL multiphysics. The accuracy of the implementation was verified using 3D biphasic contact problems, including indentation with a flat-ended indenter and contact of glenohumeral cartilage layers. The ability of the method to model multibody biphasic contact of physiological joints was proved by a 3D knee model. The 3D biphasic finite element contact method developed in this study can be used to study the biphasic behaviors of the physiological joints.