THE USE OF STRAIN-ENERGY AS A CONVERGENCE CRITERION IN THE FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING OF BONE AND THE EFFECT OF MODEL GEOMETRY ON STRESS CONVERGENCE

Keyak and Skinner1 state that the adequacy of a finite element mesh ma y be verified by confirming that convergence of strain energy has been achieved. The paper concludes by stating that convergence of strain e nergy does not ensure that a particular mesh is adequate for producing accurate stress/strain results, and that only qualitative results can be achieved from 3D models of bone. This conclusion is challenged and the effect of element size on stress convergence is clarified. The in fluence of element size on stress convergence in regions of surface ir regularity is studied and current methods are discussed that facilitat e convergence.