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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Finite element analysis in vertebrate palaeontology

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description

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a numerical method which allows to analyse the static and dynamic behaviour of complex structures. A structure is substituted by a model consisting of a number of small, well-defined elements, each interconnected by nodes. Within the element attributes and material properties, the model can be exposed to static or dynamic loads. The displacements of the structure as the reaction to its loadings are calculated. Other data such as stress or strain at localized points in the structure are derived from these displacements. Originally developed for engineering, FEA soon was introduced to human medicine by modelling the behaviour of bone, teeth, cartilage and soft tissue, mostly in relation with the design and materials of implants. However, in biology and palaeontology the use of FEA is still at the beginning. One reason for this is might be the greater complexity of organisms compared to objects designed by engineers. Also the different modifications and the mechanical properties of hard- and soft-tissue in organisms mostly are still not well understood. The use of FEA in enables the biologist/palaeontologist to testify biomechanical hypotheses and to simulate different load cases on the numerical model. Its results depend on the boundary conditions given to the model, the material properties, the nature of forces applied to the model and the objective target under which the model is set up. This means that results given by a FEA analysis never exactly represent the given system exactly; they have to be evaluated and discussed critically by paying attention to the simplifications introduced during the modelling process.