Numerical analysis of crack propagation in cement PMMA: application of SED approach

Finite element analysis (FEA) combined with the concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) provides a practical and convenient means to study the fracture and crack growth of materials. In this paper, a numerical modeling of crack propagation in the cement mantle of the reconstructed acetabulum is presented. This work is based on the implementation of the displacement extrapolation method (DEM) and the strain energy density (SED) theory in a finite element code. At each crack increment length, the kinking angle is evaluated as a function of stress intensity factors (SIFs). In this paper, we analyzed the mechanical behavior of cracks initiated in the cement mantle by evaluating the SIFs. The effect of the defect on the crack propagation path was highlighted.