Predicting trabecular bone microdamage initiation and accumulation using a non-linear perfect damage model

• Published in: Medical engineering & physics 2008-07, Vol.30 (6), p.725-732
• Main Authors: Kosmopoulos, Victor, Keller, Tony S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bone and Bones - injuries; Bone and Bones - pathology; Bone and Bones - physiopathology; Bone Remodeling; Finite Element Analysis; Finite element method; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Fractures, Bone - pathology; Fractures, Bone - physiopathology; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Microdamage initiation; Microstructural deformation; Models, Anatomic; Models, Biological; Nonlinear Dynamics; Perfect damage; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Radiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trabecular bone
• ISSN: 1350-4533; 1873-4030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2007.02.011

Abstract Studies evaluating the mechanical behavior of the trabecular microstructure play an important role in our understanding of pathologies such as osteoporosis, and in increasing our understanding of bone fracture and bone adaptation. Understanding of such behavior in bone is important for predicting and providing early treatment of fractures. The objective of this study is to present a numerical model for studying the initiation and accumulation of trabecular bone microdamage in both the pre- and post-yield regions. A sub-region of human vertebral trabecular bone was analyzed using a uniformly loaded anatomically accurate microstructural three-dimensional finite element model. The evolution of trabecular bone microdamage was governed using a non-linear, modulus reduction, perfect damage approach derived from a generalized plasticity stress–strain law. The model introduced in this paper establishes a history of microdamage evolution in both the pre- and post-yield regions.