Computational Study of Bone Tissue Mechanical Properties Dependence on Nanoscale Morphological Characteristics

Abstract

A bone tissue is modeled at the nanolevel as a composite with a quasiperiodic structure, consisting of the hydroxyapatite crystals, which are embedded into the collagen fibrils. The aim of the research is to analyze the influence of the bone nanostructure on its mechanical and strength properties. Such studies are important for the creating artificial bone-substitute materials. The influence analysis of the morphological characteristics (hydroxyapatite crystals disorientation, sizes and orientation of mineral bridges, shape of hydroxyapatite crystals, mineralization) on the local stress-strain state and mechanical properties of the representative volume element of bone is carried out by means of the direct finite element simulation and homogenization. The comparison of the obtained results with experimental data demonstrates a good agreement.