The significance of crack-resistance curves to the mixed-mode fracture toughness 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) | 5297-5305 |
Journal / Publication | Biomaterials |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 20 |
Online published | 20 Apr 2010 |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
The majority of fracture mechanics studies on the toughness of bone have been performed under tensile loading. However, it has recently been shown that the toughness of human cortical bone in the transverse (breaking) orientation is actually much lower in shear (mode II) than in tension (mode I); a fact that is physiologically relevant as in vivo bone is invariably loaded multiaxially. Since bone is a material that derives its fracture resistance primarily during crack growth through extrinsic toughening mechanisms, such as crack deflection and bridging, evaluation of its toughness is best achieved through measurements of the crack-resistance or R-curve, which describes the fracture toughness as a function of crack extension. Accordingly, in this study, we attempt to measure for the first time the R-curve fracture toughness of human cortical bone under physiologically relevant mixed-mode loading conditions. We show that the resulting mixed-mode (mode I + II) toughness depends strongly on the crack trajectory and is the result of the competition between the paths of maximum mechanical driving force and "weakest" microstructural resistance.
Research Area(s)
- Crack-growth resistance curve, Fracture toughness, Human cortical bone, Mixed-mode fracture
Citation Format(s)
The significance of crack-resistance curves to the mixed-mode fracture toughness of human cortical bone. / Zimmermann, Elizabeth A.; Launey, Maximilien E.; Ritchie, Robert O.
In: Biomaterials, Vol. 31, No. 20, 07.2010, p. 5297-5305.Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review