FEBio
Models generated as part of Open Knee(s) will be solved using FEBio, an open source and academic free finite element analysis software. FEBio is a nonlinear implicit FE framework designed specifically for analysis in biomechanics and biophysics. FEBio development has been funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2008 (R01GM083925, PI(s): Weiss & Ateshian). FEBio is supported on multiple platforms, and uses parallel linear solvers. Specialized element formulations, constitutive models, and contact algorithms are available. User/developer support is handled via an integrated system for bug tracking and feature requests and through forums. FEBio has been thoroughly documented via User’s, Theory and Developer’s Manuals. Source code documentation is easily accessed online and there are over 140 verification problems that provide easy-to-follow examples. Investigators have published over 130 publications that either used FEBio or were about FEBio, including research on knee, shoulder, and hip biomechanics. Relevant to Open Knee(s) project, there are numerous constitutive models available in FEBio for representing ligament, meniscus, and cartilage, as well as contact algorithms for representing contact between these structures. The open-source framework used to develop FEBio will allow numerous collaborators to add additional features to FEBio. Those interested in using FEBio may also find PreView (for pre-processing) and PostView (for post-processing) useful.
- Website
- Downloads
http://www.febio.org/febio/febio-downloads (registration required; release v1.7, development v1.8)
- Forums (FEBio, PreView, PostView)
- Licensing
Custom open source; free for research use, licensing for commercial use is available, see http://www.febio.org/software/febio/febio-source-code/doc_download/380-febio-eula
- Documentation (manuals)
- Documentation (source code)
- Key publication
Maas SA, Ellis BJ, Ateshian GA, Weiss JA. FEBio: finite elements for biomechanics. J Biomech Eng. 2012 Jan;134(1):011005. doi: 10.1115/1.4005694.Abstract in PubMed. Full article in PubMed Central
- Known Issues
When running analyses with FEBio using multiple threads, it is possible to have consecutive runs of the same input file produce different Nonlinear Iteration Information. The attached log files show the variation in convergence behavior produced by consecutive runs of the attached input file (Repeatability.zip). Consecutive runs of the same input file will always produce the same Nonlinear Iteration Information if run on a single thread. This issue is noted in section 2.6 of the FEBio 2.0 User’s Manual.