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Fracture analysis of multi-osteon cortical bone using XFEM

Computational Mechanics volume 62, pages 171–184 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Fracture analysis of a cortical bone sample from a tibia of a 70 years-old human male donor is conducted computationally using an extended finite element method. The cortical bone microstructure is represented by several osteons arranged based on bone microscopy image. The accuracy of results is examined by comparing a linear elastic fracture mechanics approach with a cohesive segment approach and varying the finite element model mesh density, element type, damage evolution, and boundary conditions. Microstructural features of cortical bone are assumed to be linear elastic and isotropic. We find that the accuracy of results is influenced by the finite element model mesh density, simulation increment size, element type, and the fracture approach type. Using a relatively fine mesh or small simulation increment size gives inaccurate results compared to using an optimized mesh density and simulation increment size. Also, mechanical properties of cortical bone phases influence the crack propagation path and speed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation DMR Program Grant 15-07169 and the Blue Waters sustained-petascale computing project at NCSA. The Blue Waters is supported by NSF awards OCI-0725070 and ACI-1238993, and by the state of Illinois. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Ashraf Idkaidek, Seid Koric & Iwona Jasiuk

  2. National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1205 West Clark Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Seid Koric

Authors
  1. Ashraf Idkaidek
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  2. Seid Koric
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  3. Iwona Jasiuk
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Correspondence to Ashraf Idkaidek.

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Idkaidek, A., Koric, S. & Jasiuk, I. Fracture analysis of multi-osteon cortical bone using XFEM. Comput Mech 62, 171–184 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-017-1491-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-017-1491-3

Keywords

  • Cortical bone
  • Extended finite element method
  • Fracture
  • Microstructure
  • Crack growth