Biomechanical Analysis of Bones Using Comsol and Solidworks

Biomechanical analysis of bones using COMSOL and SOLIDWORKS

Abstract: Biomechanics is the mechanical study of the living body, which includes the forces exerted by the muscles and the gravitational forces on the skeletal structure. Using the programs SOLIDWORKS and COMSOL, the biomechanics of a bone can be modeled visually using SOLIDWORKS and then be put under physical forces using COMSOL. By applying the concepts and laws of physics, structures and mechanisms can be modeled and studied. The aim is to understand how bones will react to force in different ways, as well as to test the model to see if the mechanics of the bone such as compression, tension, shear, torsion, and bending are modeled correctly. The results of this analysis should help others to understand the power SOLIDWORKS and COMSOL have in modeling and to better understand what is being modeled as well.

1. Introduction: The fusion of computational science and biomechanics can be an extremely useful tool to model and understand bones. The use of COMSOL and SOLIDWORKS allows this modeling to take place. In this study a humerus of a rat is manipulated and modeled. To understand how the bone is modeled and manipulated, an introduction to the software used is needed.

COMSOL is an engineering, design, and finite element analysis software used to model and simulate practically any physics based system. The COMSOL software has the capability to test any model and show what one would expect to occur to that model under certain physical conditions given by the user. Connecting COMSOL with SOLIDWORKS makes an ever more advanced tool for modeling objects in our world.

SOLIDWORKS is a 3-D mechanical CAD (computer aided design) program. SOLIDWORKS can be used to design, alter, or create anything in the user's imagination. It is a great tool to create mechanical parts, alter objects in the world, or design systems. In biomechanics SOLIDWORKS is used to alter bone scans in many possible ways. Bones can be hollowed, cut, flattened, separated, fractured, etc. SOLIDWORKS is great for modeling because the model can be changed visually to suit the user's needs. Together these two programs can be used to physically alter or physically test any scenario possible.

2. Methods: Through the use of COMSOL, SOLIDWORKS and the live-link between them many possible scenarios were tested to better understand the programs as well to better understand the rat humerus. COMSOL is able to take in anything created in SOLIDWORKS through the live-link interface created between the two. Below are two creations using SOLIDWORKS:

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Fig.1 Above shows the general capabilities of SOLIDWORKS to