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Differences in the mechanical behavior of cortical bone between compression and tension when subjected to progressive
Jeffry S Nyman1, Huijie Leng, X Neil Dong
1Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37215, United States.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|September 1, 2009
Summary
Human cortical bone dissipates energy differently under tension versus compression. Compression favors plastic and viscoelastic deformation, while tension favors surface energy release, impacting fracture resistance.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- Bone's hierarchical structure of collagen and minerals optimizes fracture resistance.
- The predominant strain mode in bone influences its energy dissipation capabilities.
- Cortical bone's response to tensile versus compressive forces may differ significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate energy dissipation mechanisms in human cortical bone under uniaxial tension and compression.
- To compare the differences in bone's mechanical response and failure pathways between tension and compression.
- To elucidate tissue-level failure mechanisms relevant to bone fracture.
Main Methods:
- Human cadaveric tibial bone specimens were subjected to progressive uniaxial tension and compression loading.
- Mechanical properties including stress, strain, modulus, and stress relaxation were measured.
- Three distinct pathways of energy dissipation were quantified for both loading modes.
Main Results:
- Bone dissipated more energy via permanent and viscoelastic deformation during compression compared to tension.
- Greater energy was dissipated through surface energy release in tension than in compression.
- Modulus loss, an indicator of damage accumulation, was similar in both tension and compression, despite differences in plastic and viscoelastic properties.
Conclusions:
- Cortical bone exhibits distinct energy dissipation strategies depending on the mode of loading (tension vs. compression).
- Differences in damage morphology likely explain the varied energy dissipation mechanisms.
- Understanding these tissue-level failure mechanisms is crucial for explaining bone fracture causes.
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