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Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
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Postfailure modulus strongly affects microcracking and mechanical property change in human iliac cancellous bone: a
Xiang Wang1, Roger R Zauel, David P Fyhrie
1Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, University of California Davis Medical Center, Room 2000, Research Facility I, 4635 Second Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. x10wang@gmail.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|August 2, 2008
Summary
The postfailure modulus of bone significantly impacts microdamage. Higher modulus increased crack numbers but reduced their size, affecting stiffness reduction rates.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- Bone's ability to withstand damage is crucial for skeletal integrity.
- Understanding microdamage propagation is key to predicting bone failure.
- Postfailure mechanical properties are less understood than pre-stiffness behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of postfailure modulus on bone microdamage.
- To quantify the relationship between postfailure properties and microcrack morphology.
- To assess the impact of postfailure modulus on the rate of stiffness reduction in bone tissue.
Main Methods:
- Developed two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear finite element (FE) models.
- Utilized quantitative back-scattered electron imaging of human iliac crest bone specimens.
- Simulated microcrack propagation under varying postfailure modulus conditions.
Main Results:
- Higher postfailure modulus led to increased microcrack numbers.
- Conversely, higher postfailure modulus resulted in smaller mean crack lengths and areas.
- Lower postfailure modulus correlated with a greater rate of stiffness reduction.
Conclusions:
- Bone's postfailure mechanical properties strongly influence microdamage patterns.
- These properties significantly affect the rate at which apparent mechanical properties change.
- Findings support the hypothesis linking postfailure characteristics to bone's damage response.
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