[Numerical treatment of bone as anisotropic material]

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Materials Science
• Computational Modeling

Context:

• Understanding the mechanical behavior of bone is crucial for diagnosing and treating skeletal diseases.
• The complex microscopic structure of compact bone influences its overall mechanical properties.
• Previous models often simplified bone's intricate structure, limiting their predictive accuracy.

Purpose:

• To develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the femur shaft that accurately represents its microscopic structure.
• To determine the effective material properties of homogenized bone tissue by analyzing its microstructural components (osteons).
• To calculate stress and deformation within the femur shaft under physiological loading conditions.

Summary:

• A 3D finite element model of the femur shaft was created, incorporating microscopic bone structure details.
• A 2D model was used to determine effective material properties (Young's and shear moduli, Poisson's ratios) of homogenized bone by analyzing osteons and Haversian canals.
• These homogenized properties were applied to the 3D femur model for stress analysis during a one-legged stance.

Impact:

• Provides a more accurate computational tool for analyzing femur biomechanics.
• Enhances understanding of how bone's microarchitecture affects its response to mechanical loads.
• Potential applications in designing better orthopedic implants and predicting fracture risk.