A THEORETICAL FORMULATION FOR BOUNDARY FRICTION IN ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE

A theoretical boundary friction model is proposed for predicting the f rictional behavior of articular cartilage, including its time-dependen t, velocity-dependent, and load-dependent responses. This theoretical model uses the framework of the biphasic theory for articular cartilag e, and provides a mathematical formulation for the principle that inte rstitial fluid pressurization contributes significantly to reduction o f the effective friction coefficient. Several examples of the applicat ion of this theory are provided, which demonstrate that a variety of e xperimentally observed cartilage frictional behaviors can now be theor etically predicted.