Mathematical Modeling of Squeeze Film Lubrication in Synovial Joints with Porous Articular Cartilage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n11.034Keywords:
Synovial fluid, Squeeze film lubrication, Porous cartilage, Reynolds–Brinkman equation, Load capacity, OsteoarthritisAbstract
The analytical solutions obtained from the Darcy-based multilayer squeeze film model are evaluated to examine the effects of cartilage permeability, synovial fluid film thickness, and squeezing velocity on synovial joint lubrication. The results reveal that the pressure distribution across the articular surface exhibits a symmetric parabolic profile, with peak pressure occurring at the center of the contact region. A significant reduction in pressure and load-carrying capacity is observed with increasing cartilage permeability, indicating enhanced fluid exudation into the porous cartilage matrix. The load capacity decreases monotonically with increasing synovial fluid film thickness, highlighting the dominance of squeeze film action in thin lubrication regimes. Furthermore, an approximately linear increase in load capacity with squeezing velocity is obtained, although this enhancement is substantially weakened for highly permeable cartilage. These findings demonstrate the critical role of cartilage permeability and film thickness in regulating joint load support and provide biomechanically consistent insights into lubrication deterioration associated with cartilage degeneration.
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