Acoustic Emission in Bone Biomechanics: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanical Properties and Predictive Damage...

This review investigates the application of acoustic emission (AE) techniques in analyzing the mechanical properties and damage prediction of human bone. AE is a non-invasive and non-destructive evaluation method that captures the elastic waves released during microstructural deformations under stress, providing critical insights into bone behavior and failure mechanisms. By analyzing 57 studies, this review synthesizes findings on AE signal characteristics, experimental configurations, and their correlations with bone's mechanical parameters such as yield strength, elastic modulus, and micro-damage evolution. This article highlights AE's potential in early damage detection, differentiation of failure modes, and predictive modeling using stochastic and percolation theories. These models facilitate the prediction of fracture risk and mechanical failure without inducing irreversible damage. This review addresses the strengths and limitations of AE techniques and outlines future directions in biomechanical research.