Year: 2007
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Mechanical properties of trabecular bone, most commonly its elastic modulus, have been investigated through a variety of techniques during the last thirty years, from analysis of individual struts to its behaviour at the macroscopic level(1). An area of significant interest in determining its failure characteristics is microdamage; that is, microscopic cracks that occur in both physiologically normal and degraded bone, presenting as cross-hatching, diffuse damage, micro-cracking and , ultimately, micro-fracture (2). Improved understanding of the microstructural failure mechanisms of trabecular bone may have clinical relevance in the aetiology and treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, and for bone behaviour at fracture and artificial implant sites. The purpose of this study was to investigate failure mechanisms of trabecular bone at the microstructural level during plane strain uniaxial compression testing of thin bone sections. The technique used in this study allows real-time comparison of apparent stress and strain mesurements with images while providing imaging capabilities that are of a spatial resolution comparable to micro-computed tomography. The effect of friction is recognised as an area that requires careful consideration in the analysis of results. The testing procedure achieved thus far shows potential for further development and with careful validation, could allow investigation into a range of influences in the formation of microdamage in trabecular bone, such as strain rate, loading direction, bone composition, cyclic and impact loading. Future applications would also involve contributing to the validation of finite element modelling of trabecular bone.
Authors: Victoria R. Toal, Clayton J. Adam
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W44047092