Topological Optimization of the Femoral Stem

A Comparative Study between Titanium Ti-6Al-4V and Cobalt-Chromium Alloy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v22i01.58385

Keywords:

Topology Optimization, Femoral Stem, Mass reduction, Structural optimization, Orthopedic implants

Abstract


The present study evaluates the structural behavior of a topologically optimized femoral stem, comparing two metallic materials commonly used in orthopedics: Ti-6Al-4V titanium and cobalt-chrome alloy (CoCr). The three-dimensional model was developed in SolidWorks and analyzed using finite element simulations in ANSYS, following the guidelines of ASTM F2996-20. Six optimized configurations were defined by varying the percentage of retained mass (25%, 35%, and 45%) for each material, assessing displacements, von Mises stresses, and mass reduction. The results show that the configurations with higher retained mass (J1 and J5) exhibited less deformation and more uniformly distributed stresses, remaining within the elastic regime. The optimized design in Ti-6Al-4V with 25% retained mass stood out, achieving a 27.9% weight reduction with high structural safety factors. This study confirms that topological optimization, when applied to clinically approved metallic materials, enables the development of orthopedic implants that are stronger, lighter, and mechanically compatible, contributing to sustainable surgical solutions.

Author Biographies

José Luis Serna-Landivar, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru

Serna-Landivar José Luis was Msc. in Mechanical Engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) and Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Tecnológica de Perú. Experience in computer-aided design in Inventor, SolidWorks, and simulation with ANSYS and SAP2000 computational tools. Research areas: Applied mechanics, mechanical design, finite element method for numerical solution of structural problems. (email: jsernal@cientifica.edu.pe).

Madelaine Violeta Risco Sernaque, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Lima, Peru

 I hold a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Cesar Vallejo University and a Bachelor's degree in Education and Pedagogy from Enrique Guzmán y Valles University. I am a professor appointed to the public sector in EBR. I currently work at the Autonomous University of Peru, primarily executing projects with students in various programs. I also work at the Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, where I teach research courses.

Daniela Milagros Anticona-Valderrama, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru

Daniela Milagros Anticona ValderramaDegree in physical mathematics, master’s degree in education administration, PhD in public management and governance at the Universidad Cesar Vallejo, PhD candidate in didactics of scientific research at the National University of Panama. Experience 6 years as a professor at Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Universidad César Vallejo and Universidad Privada del Norte.  Research areas: Education, environmental management, mathematics, engineering, and technology. (email: daniela.anticona@upn.pe )

Marleni Mendoza Damas, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima, Peru

Marleni Mendoza Damas holds a Master’s degree in accreditation and evaluation of educational quality from Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) and serves as a mathematics professor at the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM). She has extensive experience in higher education teaching, particularly in the scientific disciplines. Her research interests focus on education, design engineering, technology, and health sciences. (Email: Mendozada15@ucvvirtual.edu.pe )

Maria Ysabel Garcia-Alvarez, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima, Peru

Maria Ysabel Garcia-Alvarez is a Civil engineer with a master's degree in civil engineering, a master's degree in university teaching, and a doctorate in public management and governance from Universidad César Vallejo. Doctoral candidate in civil engineering from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal. Completed postdoctoral studies in science from Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán and is a doctoral candidate in civil engineering from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal. Five years of teaching experience at the Universidad Tecnológica del Perú and Universidad César Vallejo. Research areas: engineering, education, management, science and technology.  (E-mail: c19447@utp.edu.pe )

William C. Algoner, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima, Peru

William C. Algoner, is a physics researcher, engineering educator, and scientific publication coordinator at the Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (UTP). Was a postdoctoral researcher at the Federal University of Parana, Brazil. He is currently an IEEE-UTP Student Branch Advisor (email: walgoner@utp.edu.pe).

Cover iJOE – Vol 22, No 01, 2026

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Published

2026-01-22

How to Cite

Serna-Landivar, J. L., Risco Sernaque, M. V., Anticona-Valderrama, D. M., Mendoza Damas, M., Garcia-Alvarez, M. Y., & Algoner, W. C. (2026). Topological Optimization of the Femoral Stem: A Comparative Study between Titanium Ti-6Al-4V and Cobalt-Chromium Alloy. International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering (iJOE), 22(01), pp. 164–177. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v22i01.58385

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 01 (2026)

Section

Papers

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Copyright (c) 2025 José Luis Serna-Landivar, Madelaine Violeta Risco Sernaque, Daniela Milagros Anticona-Valderrama, Marleni Mendoza Damas, Maria Ysabel Garcia-Alvarez, William C. Algoner

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.