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Fracture mechanics properties of human cranial bone
Lilibeth A Zambrano M1, Nele Famaey2, Michael Gilchrist3
1Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department, South East University of Ireland, Carlow, Ireland; School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|December 5, 2024
Summary
This study characterized human cranial bone fracture toughness using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Fracture toughness was similar across skull locations but lower in females and varied with age, providing data for skull fracture simulations.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Existing data on human skull mechanical properties is incomplete.
- Specific fracture characteristics require further investigation.
- Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) provides a framework for this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the fracture properties of human cranial bone.
- To determine fracture toughness under various loading modes (Mode I, Mode II, Mixed-Mode I-II).
- To establish reference values for stress intensity factors and strain energy release rates.
Main Methods:
- Harvesting unembalmed human cortical cranial bone samples (frontal, parietal).
- Testing samples under Mode I (SENB, 3-point bending), Mode II (4-point bending), and Mixed-Mode I-II (asymmetric 3-point bending).
- Calculating stress intensity factors (K) and strain energy release rates (J, G) using LEFM.
Main Results:
- Human cranial bone fractures in a brittle manner.
- Fracture toughness is statistically similar across frontal and parietal bones and exhibits sagittal symmetry.
- Fracture toughness is lower in females and varies with age.
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential fracture toughness data for human cranial bone.
- Findings are valuable for predicting crack propagation and developing failure criteria for skull simulations.
- Further research is needed to confirm findings across all fracture modes and age groups.
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