Determination of the bone tissue mechanical properties by a numerical-digital method using CT data

Abstract

Modeling of elements of inhomogeneous media is an actual direction in the study of composite materials and biomechanics objects. The need for research is determined by the insufficient development of methods for describing mechanical parameters, taking into account the anisotropy of materials. In this case, one of the directions is the use of digital prototyping and numerical modeling methods. In the field of biomechanics, the applicability of approaches to numerical modeling based on image data correlates with cases of clinical practice, which is due to the peculiarities of non-destructive testing methods and allows obtaining results that affect the quality of treatment. The paper considers a method for restoring effective mechanical properties of a material based on computational and field experiments. The simulation was based on the finite element method and assumed the use of data from a digital prototype obtained by computed tomography. The restoration of the calculated area was performed by filtering the initial grid relative to the proportion of the content of the material. The presented method makes it possible to restore the effective values of the elastic modulus and tangential modules based on the relationship established within the framework of the approach between the mechanical properties of the material and the loading parameters of the model sample. In the course of the work, the bone organs of pigs were modeled. Animal husbandry and experimental procedures were carried out in compliance with bioethical norms. Physical tests and numerical modeling were carried out under the conditions of bending action. Validation of the obtained distribution of values of the stress-strain state was performed according to the data of full-scale experiments. The presented solution showed a weak dependence of the results (less than 1 %) relative to the degree of discretization of the computational domain, which made it possible to perform calculations using fewer finite elements, avoiding the use of resource-intensive methods to restore the geometry of the sample. The results obtained in the framework of the work correspond to the literature data and determine the true values, the use of which in calculations makes it possible to assess the strength of the elements of an inhomogeneous structure under the action of external loads, taking into account the spatial distribution of the material.