NUMERICAL VALIDATION OF A FIBER-REINFORCED HYPERELASTIC CONSTITUTIVE MODEL FOR HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC ANNULUS FIBROSUS

摘要

This paper validates a constitutive model for human intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus via numerical simulations on a lumber spine motion segment. This anisotropic hypere-lastic fiber-reinforced constitutive model was previously developed by the authors. Based on three-dimensional (3D) lumbar spine segments that are constructed from CT scanning images, a detailed and anatomically accurate human lumbar spine finite element (FE) model for L3-L4 motion segment is developed. The FE model includes vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc, and various ligaments. Numerical simulations are carried out by using commercial CAE software package ABAQUS/Standard. The loading cases considered in the numerical analysis are set to be consistent with sets-up of cadaveric specimen testing available in the literature. Numerical results such as load-displacement curves and nucleus pressure are compared with experimental data. Simulation results show good consistency with cadaveric experimental data, and have good biomechanical fidelity. The constitutive model can be used for human intervertebral disc modeling and biomechanical analysis of human spine column.