Mixed-mode fracture of human cortical bone
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5877-5884 |
Journal / Publication | Biomaterials |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 29 |
Online published | 1 Jul 2009 |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
Although the mode I (tensile opening) fracture toughness has been the focus of most fracture mechanics studies of human cortical bone, bones in vivo are invariably loaded multiaxially. Consequently, an understanding of mixed-mode fracture is necessary to determine whether a mode I fracture toughness test provides the appropriate information to accurately quantify fracture risk. In this study, we examine the mixed-mode fracture of human cortical bone by characterizing the crack-initiation fracture toughness in the transverse (breaking) orientation under combined mode I (tensile opening) plus mode II (shear) loading using samples loaded in symmetric and asymmetric four-point bending. Whereas in most structural materials, the fracture toughness is increased with increasing mode-mixity (i.e., where the shear loading component gets larger), in the transverse orientation of bone the situation is quite different. Indeed, the competition between the maximum applied mechanical mixed-mode driving force and the weakest microstructural paths in bone results in a behavior that is distinctly different to most homogeneous brittle materials. Specifically, in this orientation, the fracture toughness of bone is markedly decreased with increasing mode-mixity.
Research Area(s)
- Fracture mechanisms, Fracture toughness, Human cortical bone, Mixed-mode fracture
Citation Format(s)
Mixed-mode fracture of human cortical bone. / Zimmermann, Elizabeth A.; Launey, Maximilien E.; Barth, Holly D.; Ritchie, Robert O.
In: Biomaterials, Vol. 30, No. 29, 10.2009, p. 5877-5884.Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review