15 A Study of Artificial Fiber Tissue Using Finite Element Analysis for Optimizing Volumetric Dimensions V. R. Raut 1 , Dr. D. M. Mate 2 1 Student of M.E. Design Engineering, 2 Professor D.Y. Patil Institute of Engg. and Tech., Talegaon Dabhade, Pune, India International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June, 2016, pp. 15-27 ISSN Online: 2347-5188 Print: 2347-8772, DOA: 07052016 © IASTER 2016, www.iaster.com ABSTRACT Biomechanics is the application of engineering principles to the study of forces and motions of biologic systems. The knee joint is made up of three bones and a variety of ligaments. The knee joint may look like a simple joint, but it is actually one of the most complex joint. Ninety percent of knee ligament injuries involve the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of ligaments in the center of the knee joint that forms a cross. The ligaments of the knee make sure that the weight that is transmitted through the knee joint is cantered within the joint and minimizing the amount of wear and tear on the cartilage inside the knee. The use of computational methods for the study of joint mechanism can elucidate ligament function and yield information that is difficult or impossible to obtain experimentally. In particular finite element (FE) method offers the ability to predict variations in stress, strain due to change of volume in ACL. The results clearly shows the effect of Stress - Strain relation when the loads are applied on the increased volume ligament. A stress value reduced with the increasing volume of ligament and minimizes deformation and strain in all the two cases. Keywords: Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Knee Biomechanics, Cartilage, Finite Element Method. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction to Biomechanics Biomechanics is the application of engineering principles to the study of forces and motions of biologic systems. As they relate to sports medicine, biomechanical studies are designed to determine the magnitude and direction of forces and moments of various tissues in and around a diarthrodial joint, as well as to measure the corresponding joint kinematics. 1.2. Knee Anatomy The knee joint is made up of three bones and a variety of ligaments. The knee is formed by the femur (the thigh bone), the tibia (the shin bone), and the patella (the knee cap).There are two ligaments on either side of the knee, called the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, stabilize the knee from side- to-side. Injuries to the MCL are much more common that LCL injuries. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of ligaments in the center of the knee joint that form a cross, and this is where the name "cruciate" comes from. There is both an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior