Three-dimensional topology optimization model to simulate the external shapes of bone

Area of Science:

• * Biomechanics and developmental biology.
• * Investigating the relationship between mechanical loading and skeletal morphology.

Background:

• * Bone shape is crucial for vertebrate development and function, supporting the body against external forces like gravity and muscle tension.
• * Bone formation responds to external loads, with increased load stimulating synthesis and decreased load causing resorption, suggesting adaptive shape changes.
• * While internal bone structures are well-modeled by topology optimization, external bone morphology simulation remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop and apply a three-dimensional topology optimization model for simulating the external shape of teleost vertebrae.
• * To investigate if external bone shapes adapt to mechanical loads, similar to internal bone structures.
• * To explore the potential of topology optimization in understanding vertebrate skeletal morphology.

Main Methods:

• * Construction of a 3D topology optimization model.
• * Application of varied external loads to an hourglass-shaped model representing teleost vertebral bodies.
• * Adjustment of geometric parameters, such as hourglass width, to simulate shape variations.

Main Results:

• * Simulations successfully generated diverse 3D structures resembling actual teleost vertebrae.
• * The model reproduced key structural features observed in natural teleost vertebrae.
• * Adjusting geometric parameters effectively replicated variations in teleost vertebral shapes.

Conclusions:

• * Topology optimization is a viable method for simulating and reproducing the external shapes of teleost vertebrae.
• * External bone morphology appears to adapt to external loads, as suggested by simulation results.
• * This approach can be extended to study the adaptive morphology of various vertebrate bones.