Mechanical properties of long bone shaft in bending

Abstract

Long bones usually suffer bending loads. It is important to predict appropriate limits of these loads, bone fracture behavior, and their relations with bone geometry. In this research, ten fresh specimens of sheep tibiae were provided. Whole bone specimens were loaded in three-point bending according to standard wet bone test protocols and mechanical properties were determined. Finite element modeling was made with simplified geometry, assuming linear elastic and isotropic properties. Elasticity modulus and fracture load, evaluated from load-deformation curve, were applied to the finite element model and close results of maximum stress in both test specimen and model obtained. There was a difference of about 2% between ultimate strength of bone specimens and maximum stress occurred in the models. The results showed that fracture bending moment and bone extrinsic stiffness had significant relations with fracture cross-section dependent parameters. However, fracture energy and ultimate strength did not have such a relation with these parameters. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.