Digital Image Correlation and nanoindentation in evaluation of material parameters of cancellous bone microstructure

Abstract

Purpose: Purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities of the application of the two methods: Digital Image Correlation and nanoindentation in porous bone tissues testing. Firstly, as a tool in the evaluation process of material parameters for porous microstructures, such as bone tissues or other foams and, secondly, as validation and verification tools for finite element analysis of bone or foams structures. Those methods are helpful when the high accuracy of the mechanical parameters of porous microstructures is required.Design/methodology/approach: Two methods: Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and nanoindentation are used as an efficient approach in the evaluation process of material parameters or constitutive relationship of porous structures like bone tissues. Digital image correlation enlarges the accuracy of classical mechanical tests and the nanoindentation allows to look inside the microstructure.Findings: The proposed methods were found to be effective in experimental testing and material parameters evaluation process of some special materials. Among them are porous structures, such as bone tissue. Additionally, the DIC is an excellent tool for finite element model validation and results verification.Practical implications: The presented method based on the combination of the Digital Image Correlation and nanoindentation presents new possibilities in material testing fields, material behavior and parameters evaluation. They have great advantages, among others, in the field of testing of porous bone structure or determining the mechanical parameters of bone tissue.Originality/value: The paper presents methods for testing the complicated porous bone structures: evaluating mechanical behavior of the whole structure and evaluating mechanical properties of the single element of the structure. The mechanical parameters of human cancellous bone structures are presented as the preliminary research results.