Effect Of Microstructure And Mechanical Properties Of Haversian Cortical Bone On Microcrack Propagation Trajectory

A two dimensional finite element model for the human Haversian cortical bone is represented. The interstitial bone tissue, the osteons and the cement line were modeled as the matrix, the fibers and the interface, respectively. This was due to similarities between fiber-ceramic composite materials and the human Haversian cortical bone. The stress intensity factor in the microcrack tips vicinity was computed using the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory and assuming a plane strain condition. It was therefore possible to study the effect of microstructure and mechanical properties of Haversian cortical bone on microcrack propagation trajectory. The results indicated that this effect was limited to the vicinity of the osteon. If both osteon and cement line were assumed to be softer than the interstitial tissue, the stress intensity factor was increased when the crack distance to the osteon reduced. The stress intensity factor decreased if both osteon and cement line were assumed to be stiffer than the interstitial tissue. The resulting simulation indicated that the effect of existence of osteon on the stress intensity factor was no significance, if both the interstitial tissue and cement line were assumed either stiffer or softer than the osteon. Microcrack trajectory was observed to deviate from the osteon under tensile loading; indicating an independence from the mechanical properties of various tissues. In fact, the microcrack adopts a trajectory between the osteons, thereby increasing the necessary absorbed energy for fracture. This results in an increase in the human Haversian cortical bone toughness. The result of this finite element modeling has been confirmed by through evaluation and comparison made with experimental results.