A Finite Element Model of the Full Bovine Digit

Finite element analysis is a technique used in engineering and material testing to predict stress, strain and deformation in structures of a specific material and shape. Finite element models (FEM) of bones or other parts of the human body have been used for over 10 years now. One of the latest studies includes bones and soft tissue of the human foot for testing of specific footwear (CHEUNG and ZHANG, 2006). In veterinary science finite element modelling started in the same time period, resulting in FEMs of the equine hoof by HINTERHOFER, et al., 1997, the donkeys hoof wall (NEWLYN et al., 1998) and again of the equine hoof by McCLinchey et al., 2003. In cattle ...