A computational technique to construct a 3-D valve leaflet geometry. The invention pertains to methodology to construct a 3-D heart valve leaflet geometry using finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the manual assembly process or, in other words, provide a virtual assembly process as an input to a subsequent simulated valve testing step. The simulated valves may be subjected to simulated cyclic valve opening and closings and the stress levels induced therein monitored. Simulated valve designs with lower principal stresses can then be selected for prototyping. Proposed valves can be subjected to cyclic fatigue stress testing under simulated physiologic conditions to study valve durability.