Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Accuracy and Reproducibility in Whole Bone Bending Tests
Published on: September 1, 2023
Bone fracture characterization under mixed-mode I+II loading using the single leg bending test
F A M Pereira1, M F S F de Moura, N Dourado
1Departamento de Engenharias, Quinta de Prados, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, CITAB, Vila Real, 5000-801, Portugal.
Abstract:
Fracture under mixed-mode I+II was induced in bovine cortical bone tissue using a developed miniaturized version of the single leg bending test (SLB). Due to the difficulty in crack length monitoring in the course of the test, an equivalent crack method based on specimen compliance and beam theory was adopted as a data reduction scheme. The method was applied to the experimental results in order to obtain the Resistance curves in each loading mode. The determined fracture energy is well described by an energetic power law whose exponent is below one, which means that the linear energetic criterion is not applicable to this material. The proposed procedure was numerically validated by means of a cohesive mixed-mode I+II damage model with bilinear softening. It was concluded that the miniaturized version of the SLB test is adequate for mixed-mode I+II fracture characterization of bone for a constant mode ratio.
Related Concept Videos
General Case of Eccentric Axial Loading
Consider a member subjected to equal and opposite forces that are applied along a line that does not coincide with the member's neutral axis. In unsymmetrical...
Residual Stresses in Bending
Bending
In pure bending, the bending stress in a beam is calculated based on the bending moment and...
Bending of Members Made of Several Materials
Hooke's Law determines stress in each material, stating that stress is proportional to strain but varies due to each material's...
Flexural Stress
Hooke's Law states that within the material's elastic limits, stress is directly proportional to strain. In a member experiencing a bending moment, the strain at any point is relative to its distance...
Unsymmetric Bending

