Dr Ariyan Ashkanfar
School of Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
Email: A.Ashkanfar@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 1402
Ariyan gained a first BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2009, a distinction Master degree in Mechanical Engineering Design from the University of Manchester in 2011 and awarded a PhD in Biomedical engineering involving finite element analysis (FEA) and Python programming to develop a computational wear algorithm from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).
Upon completion of his PhD, Ariyan joined Newcastle University as a finite element specialist (Postdoctoral Research Associate), responsible for undertaking wear analysis using FEA at artificial human joints until December 2016 and then he joined LJMU as a senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Design.
Ariyan’s primary areas of research are mainly in mechanical modelling and FE analysis (Static and Dynamic) with the development of advanced meshing, programming in FE environments, computational wear and fatigue algorithms, modelling of complex contacts, modelling of human joints using CT, MRI or point cloud data, modelling complex material properties as well as Fatigue testing, CMM measurement, Profilometry, Microscopy and Impact testing.
Research interest:
Finite element modelling and analysis for design and operations
Programming and scripting in FE environments
Development of computational wear and fatigue algorithms
Wear and fatigue testing
Fracture Mechanics
Biomedical Engineering
Research Team
1) Mr Shawn Toh
PhD project: A computational approach to wear prediction in total hip replacement
Joint replacement is common and generally effective to restore mobility and reduce pain. However, failures of artificial joints still occur at unacceptably high rates and these are usually linked to wear from the artificial hip joints. The overall goal of this research is to improve artificial hip joints design using finite element analysis wear analysis so that they last the lifetime of patients.
2) Mr Ciaran Pitt
PhD project: Total Knee replacement; why they fail prematurely and how to increase their lifespan?
Total knee replacement (TKR) has been developed over a number of years and is considered as a successful treatment for osteoarthritis or injury of the knee. The overall goal of this research is to improve the longevity of the artificial knee joints so that they last the lifetime of patients. To achieve this goal, the objectives of this proposal are to investigate the current design of knee implants to comprehensively understand the reasons of their failure. This design investigation will be based on finite element stress analysis as well as computational wear analysis.
3) Ms Jessa Canas
PhD project: Computational finite element and wear analyses for shoulder joint replacements
Shoulder joint replacement (SJR) is the 3rd most common orthopaedic arthroplasty after hip and knee joint replacement. The overall aim of this study is to develop a computational finite element and wear based model of SJRs, while validated with the experimental data which can be used for a speedy investigation of the design and surgical variations on the longevity of these prostheses
4) Ms Olivia Angel
This project: Characterise the plasticity and fracture behavior of two grades of austenitic stainless steel, 316 and 304.
5) Mr Tammam Kaid
PhD project: Materials Development and Optimisation for Smart Gasket and Modelling
External Supervision
1) Mr Hamid Hajimohammadi
PhD project: Design, manufacturing and finite element analysis of MXene/polymer composites
Dr Ashkanfar is currently seeking motivated students for PhD projects on the following areas:
- Biomedical engineering and Biomechanics
- Finite Element Analysis, Solid Mechanics and Structural integrity
- Mechanical design and operation
Teaching:
- Level 7 Finite Element Analysis
- Level 6 Engineering Analysis
- Level 5 Applied Mechanics 2
- Level 5 Mechanical and Thermal Systems 2
- Level 5 Engineering Practice 2
- Level 4 Mechanical and Thermal Systems 1b
Degrees
Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom, Associate fellow
The University of Manchester, United Kingdom, MSc in Mechanical Engineering Design
Academic appointments
Senior Lecturer, Maritime and Mechanical Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, 2017 - present
Visiting Research Associate, School of Engineering, Newcastle University, 2016 - present
Postgraduate training
Failure of artificial joints; computational and experimental analysis, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, ? - present
PGCert, United Kingdom, LJMU, ? - present
Highlighted publications
Ashkanfar A, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2017. A large taper mismatch is one of the key factors behind high wear rates and failure at the taper junction of total hip replacements: A finite element wear analysis Journal of The Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 69 :257-266 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. 2015. A computational approach to fretting wear prediction at the head-stem taper junction of total hip replacements Wear, 338/39 :210-220 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Journal article
Pitt CN, Ashkanfar A, English R, Naylor A, Opoz TT, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2024. Development of a bespoke finite element wear algorithm to investigate the effect of femoral centre of rotation on the wear evolution in total knee replacements Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 163 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashkanfar A, Toh SMS, English R, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2024. The impact of femoral head size on the wear evolution at contacting surfaces of total hip prostheses: A finite element analysis. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 153 :1-8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Naylor A, Ashkanfar A, Liu X, English R. 2023. Knee wraps are detrimental to the maximal squat performance of powerlifters competing in lower weight classes Kinesiology, 55 :282-288 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Toh SMS, Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2023. How does bicycling affect the longevity of Total Hip Arthroplasty? A finite element wear analysis Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 139 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Toh SMS, Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. 2022. The relation between body weight and wear in Total Hip Prosthesis: A finite element study Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 20 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Toh SM, Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. 2021. Computational method for bearing surface wear prediction in total hip replacements Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 119 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashkanfar A, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2017. Does a micro-grooved trunnion stem surface finish improve fixation and reduce fretting wear at the taper junction of total hip replacements? A finite element evaluation Journal of Biomechanics, 63 :47-54 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashkanfar A, Langton DJ, Joyce TJ. 2017. A large taper mismatch is one of the key factors behind high wear rates and failure at the taper junction of total hip replacements: A finite element wear analysis Journal of The Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 69 :257-266 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
English RG, Ashkanfar A, Rothwell G. 2015. The effect of different assembly loads on taper junction fretting wear in total hip replacements Tribology International, 95 :199-210 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. 2015. A computational approach to fretting wear prediction at the head-stem taper junction of total hip replacements Wear, 338/39 :210-220 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Conference publication
Ashkanfar A. 2015. A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH TO FRETTING WEAR PREDICTION IN TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENTS English RUSSELL, Rothwell GLYNN. DOI Public Url
Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. Effect of impaction force at assembly on fretting wear at the taper junction of total hip prosthesis ASTM
Ashkanfar A, English R, Rothwell G. Finite Element Models for quantitative analysis of wear damage in Metal-on-Metal modular hip prosthesis
Highlighted activities
External collaboration:
The Movement Centre; In September 2017, Ariyan started working in partnership with the Movement Centre. The aim of the collaboration is to design a piece of equipment to be used in Targeted Training Therapy. The project is running by a group of Master students led by Ariyan and advisor Russell English who are supervising the engineering team and providing technical support for the partnership. Advisor to The Movement Centre, Gabor Barton is working closely with the design team and supporting the partnership., Ariyan Ashkanfar; Russell English; Gabor Barton Pauline Holbrook; Victoria Handbury; Curtis Langley; Sarah Bew; Polly Roberts;. 2017
Conference presentation:
The effect of design variations on the failure of total hip replacements, The Northern Retrieval Registry Conference, organized by the British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, Oral presentation. 2017
Professional activities
External PGR examinations performed:
University of Exeter, PhD, Subject-specific three-dimensional finite element modelling of the human knee complex. 2018
External collaboration:
The Movement Centre; In September 2017, Ariyan started working in partnership with the Movement Centre. The aim of the collaboration is to design a piece of equipment to be used in Targeted Training Therapy. The project is running by a group of Master students led by Ariyan and advisor Russell English who are supervising the engineering team and providing technical support for the partnership. Advisor to The Movement Centre, Gabor Barton is working closely with the design team and supporting the partnership., Ariyan Ashkanfar; Russell English; Gabor Barton Pauline Holbrook; Victoria Handbury; Curtis Langley; Sarah Bew; Polly Roberts;. 2017
Broadgreen Hospital, Alasdair Santini; Andy Phillipson.
Newcastle University, Prof Tom Joyce.
University Hospital of North Tees, David J Langton.
Conference presentation:
The effect of design variations on the failure of total hip replacements, The Northern Retrieval Registry Conference, organized by the British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, Oral presentation. 2017
Computational models for orthopaedic applications, Grosvenor Orthopaedic Club, Oral presentation.
Wear damage in Total Hip Replacements, Broadgreen Hospital, Oral presentation.
Teaching qualification:
Associate fellow, the Higher Education Academy (AF-HEA). 2014